The Seattle Sounders are taking on LAFC on Sunday (4 p.m. PT; ESPN, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) for the third and final time in the 2020 MLS regular season. Here are three matchups to watch.
Will Bruin vs. Eddie Segura
Bruin performed admirably in Wednesday’s win over Real Salt Lake in his first start since Raúl RuidÃaz joined Peru for CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifying. He’ll have another big opportunity on Sunday going against Segura, one of MLS’ most consistent and steady defenders. The 23-year-old Colombian has started 14 of 15 matches for LAFC this season and will need to try and keep Bruin, who scored against LAFC at the MLS is Back tournament, and the Sounders’ offense at bay with Carlos Vela (injury), Brian RodrÃguez and Diego Rossi (both on international duty) missing from LAFC’s MLS-leading attack.
Nicolás Lodeiro vs. Eduard Atuesta
It’s a treat every time these two match up. Lodeiro is in his best form of the season with two goals and four assists in his last five matches, including a virtuoso performance against RSL midweek in which he had two assists and five key passes. Atuesta has started the last three games after missing considerable time due to injury and will need to be a stopgap in defensive midfield against a Seattle offense that enters Sunday firing on all cylinders.
Yeimar Goméz Andrade vs. Bradley Wright-Phillips
With Vela, RodrÃguez and Rossi all out, the onus for LAFC’s offense falls even heavier on the shoulders of Wright-Phillips, the 35-year-old goalscoring machine, who has eight goals and four assists in 13 matches in his first season in Los Angeles. Wright-Phillips is one of the most physical No. 9s in the league and will get a strong battle from Yeimar, who has quietly put together a brilliant first season in MLS, anchoring a defense that’s allowed less than a goal per game.
