The Seattle Sounders will travel to LAFC on Tuesday for the Western Conference Final of the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT on Tuesday at Banc of California Stadium.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360 AM.
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 0-3-1 all-time against LAFC, including a pair of losses in Seattle’s only two trips to Banc of California Stadium.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Seattle advanced past FC Dallas in Round One of the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs with a thrilling 4-3 victory in extra time. In the Western Conference Semifinals, the Sounders posted a convincing 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake, with Gustav Svensson and Nicolás Lodeiro each finding the back of the net. As the 2019 Supporters’ Shield winner, LAFC got a Round One bye before outlasting the LA Galaxy in a 5-3 win in the Semifinals.
PLAYOFF NICO: Lodeiro comes alive in the postseason. Seattle’s No. 10 has guided the Rave Green to three Western Conference Finals in four seasons, notching six goals and four assists from 15 starts in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
MEET RAÚL: Raúl RuidÃaz has never faced off against LAFC. But in four career postseason matches, the Peruvian scoring machine has racked up four goals and four assists.
MERCER ISLAND MAGICIAN: The last time Seattle faced LAFC, Sounders winger Jordan Morris scored in the first minute of the 1-1 draw at CenturyLink Field. The MLS Comeback Player of the Year’s pace and incisive runs could be the key to winning the Western Conference Final, as LAFC tends to send both outside backs high when in possession.
TREND LINES: The Black & Gold’s scorching form cooled quite a bit toward the end of the campaign. In their final seven league matches, the Supporters’ Shield winners post a record of 2-1-5, dropping points at home against Toronto FC, Minnesota United and the LA Galaxy.
DUTRA SCHOOL OF GOALKEEPING: LAFC goalkeeper Tyler Miller spent two seasons with the Sounders before being selected by the California side in the 2018 Expansion Draft. Miller, 26, has started 53 MLS matches for the Black & Gold across the last two seasons.
VUVUVELA: The catalyst for LAFC’s high-octane attack, Carlos Vela, made plenty of noise with historic numbers during the regular season. MLS’ Golden Boot winner tallied 34 goals and 15 assists from just 31 starts, breaking the league record for most goals in season.
INSTANT CLASSIC: The Western Conference Final marks the first occasion in which the Sounders have been at full strength for a match against LAFC. In 2018, the team was juggling responsibilities between the start of the regular season and Concacaf Champions League, and had just lost Morris for the season. This year, RuidÃaz missed both fixtures, while Svensson and VÃctor RodrÃguez were unavailable for the second match in Seattle.
