After three restless weeks, the Western Conference Semifinals have finally arrived.
“Everybody is ready for the game to take place,” said midfielder Cristian Roldan. “We’re antsy.”
For the last 21 days, the Seattle Sounders have tailored their preparations at training to get ready for Saturday’s matchup against LAFC at BMO Stadium, including an intrasquad scrimmage.
“We've had a long stretch where we haven't played a real meaningful game,” said Roldan. “And so, the scrimmage was really important for us to feel like it was game-realistic while trying to paint a picture of what we're going to see this weekend.”
LAFC has had the upper hand on the Seattle side in their last four head-to-head battles, necessitating “subtle tweaks,” according to Head Coach Brian Schmetzer, as it relates to tactical positioning.
“We've used these last [few] weeks to be able to reflect on our games against LAFC, and what they've done well, and what we've done okay at,” added Roldan. “And so, implementing that into training, it's been crucial, and so hopefully we can apply that into the game.”
It is the work the team has put in throughout the duration of the season, however, that is going to be the ultimate beneficiary come game-time.
“We're not going to dramatically change who we are,” said Schmetzer. “We're still a good team, still had [one of] the best records in the last half of the year, so we're not going to completely draw something new.”
From overcoming the slowest start to a season in club history, to finishing the regular season as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference after going 12-2-3 in the final 17 matches, the willingness to persevere through difficult moments has been a consistent theme for the Sounders squad in 2024.
But, Seattle’s ultimate test lies ahead this weekend in Los Angeles.
“We can't take away what we've done the second half of the year,” said Roldan. “So, we are trying to [implement] what we do best and that's defend well, possess the ball, score in transition and get guys in the box, while also understanding that LAFC has had our number this year and what can we learn from those couple games that they've beaten us in?”
Similar to the Sounders’ 4-0 road match win over reigning MLS Cup champs Columbus Crew on Sept. 7, the odds are against them prior to the upcoming high-stakes battle. The Sounders are determined to flip this narrative and mirror their relentless performance against the Crew into Nov. 23’s semifinal match.
“I know [there was] the red card but even before that, I thought we were doing a really good job of sitting a little bit deeper, and countering from there, creating a lot of dangerous opportunities,” said forward Jordan Morris. “So if that's what the game plan calls for, I think that's something that we can do.”
Seattle epitomizes a winning club with big ambitions. A victory this weekend over No. 1 seed LAFC would validate exactly that, putting them one step closer toward securing a third MLS Cup title.
“If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best,” said goalkeeper Stefan Frei. “The squad senses an opportunity….We’re hungry.”
Sounders FC is partnering with local bars to host a series of official watch parties for the match against LAFC. You can find more information and a complete list of locations HERE.
