The Seattle Sounders are visiting the LA Galaxy on Friday night in their second and final meeting of the regular season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:08 p.m. PT at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 93.3 KJR FM and El Rey 1360AM.
2022 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Seattle: 10-13-2 (32 points, 9th West), LA: 10-11-3 (33 points, 6th West)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Sounders: LLWLW, Galaxy: WLWLW
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders defeated the Galaxy in a 3-2 thriller at Lumen Field on March 12 behind goals from Jordan Morris, Fredy Montero and Xavier Arreaga. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández and Douglas Costa scored for the visitors.
THREE ON THE ROAD: Friday’s match in southern California starts a three-match road trip for the Sounders, who will visit the rival Portland Timbers on Aug. 26 before going cross-country for an Eastern Conference clash with Orlando City SC on Aug. 31.
SIX-POINT SWING: With fewer than 10 matches remaining in the regular season, the Sounders’ push for their 14th consecutive playoff appearance is on. Just three points separate the sixth-place team in the West (Galaxy) and the 11th-place team (Vancouver Whitecaps).
ALL OR NOTHING: The Sounders (two) and Galaxy (three) have combined for just five total draws in 49 matches this season. Three points for either team on Friday could go a long way in determining who’s in and who’s out of the postseason at the end of the year.
PUIG PLAYING?: Riqui Puig could make his debut against the Sounders on Friday after receiving his P1 Visa this week. The 23-year-old Spanish midfielder was acquired during the Secondary Transfer Window from global giants FC Barcelona. A product of famed Barça Academy La Masia, Puig had two goals and three assists in 57 appearances with Barcelona’s First Team.
TWO-HEADED MONSTER: Head Coach Greg Vanney’s side is led by forwards Chicharito and Dejan Joveljić, who have combined for 19 of LA’a 37 goals scored this season. Chicharito has hit double digits in goals for the second straight season, while the 23-year-old Serbian international Joveljić has had a breakout year with nine goals in just 765 minutes, mostly as a super sub.
STOPPING THE SKID: Prior to the Galaxy’s 5-2 demolition over the Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend, LA had lost five of its last six MLS matches dating back to July 8.
