Seattle Sounders FC vs. LAFC | 2020 MLS Match Preview

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 12
Seattle Sounders FC vs. LAFC
CenturyLink Field – Seattle
September 18 – 10:00 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada

LOCAL TV: YouTube TV [LA region only], EstrellaTV 62, JoeTV

After big home wins in Week 11, the Seattle Sounders and LAFC hope to build on their momentum when the Western Conference foes square off at CenturyLink Field Friday night.  

The Sounders (5W-2L-3D) are coming off a historic 7-1 drubbing of the San Jose Earthquakes, while LAFC (4W-4L-3D) rallied to defeat the Portland Timbers, 4-2, at Banc of California Stadium after losing three of their previous four games.

The teams are meeting for the second time this season in league play. Jordan Morris scored a pair of goals as the Sounders took a 3-1 win on Aug. 30 at CenturyLink Field, their first win in five meetings with LAFC all-time in league play. Seattle earned a measure of revenge for a 4-1 Round of 16 defeat in the MLS is Back Tournament a month earlier. 

Seattle Sounders

The Sounders became the ninth team in MLS history to score at least seven goals in a game, rolling to a 7-1 against the San Jose Earthquakes on Sept. 10 at CenturyLink Field. The Sounders scored five goals in the opening 33 minutes, the fastest five goals from the start of a match in MLS history, tying the record for most goals in the first half in league annals.

Raúl Ruidíaz, Joevin Jones and Jordan Morris all played a part in four goals each, Ruidiaz and Jones with two goals and two assists each, while Morris had three assists with a goal. Morris earned Major League Soccer Player of the Week honors.

On Thursday, the club announced Brad Smith, who helped lead the Sounders to the 2019 MLS Cup, was back in Rave Green on a permanent deal. The 26-year-old Australian left back was a free agent after his contract expired with Bournemouth following their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season.

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Danny Leyva (M) - left foot fracture
  • QUESTIONABLE: Jordy Delem (M) - right hamstring strain
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None

LAFC

LAFC put an end to a two-game losing slide in convincing fashion, claiming a 4-2 win against the Portland Timbers at Banc of California Stadium. Diego Rossi scored his MLS Golden Boot-leading 10th goal of the season, while Bradley Wright-Phillips netted the 113th goal of MLS league career, now one behind Ante Razov for No.6 on all-time goalscorers list.

LAFC rebounded from an early deficit to score three goals in the final 15 minutes of the first half to take a commanding lead. Eduard Atuesta made his return from a right foot injury, playing the final 10 minutes. 

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Carlos Vela (F) - Grade 2 MLS sprain
  • OUT: Mohamed Traore (D) - undisclosed injury
  • OUT: Tristan Blackmon (D) - undisclosed injury
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None

Series Matchup at Sounders

• Sounders: 1 win, 4 goals
• LAFC: 1 win, 3 goals
• 1 draws

Officials

• Referee: Joseph Dickerson
• Assistant Referees: Cameron Blanchard, Mike Rottersman
• 4th Official: Brad Jensen
• VAR: Timothy Ford