Sights, sounds, and notes from Sounders 1-1 draw with LAFC

MATCH NOTES 

• Sounders FC is 4-4-2 all-time against LAFC in MLS play (including postseason results). The club has a 2-4-2 record in regular season action. The two sides also met in the Knockout Stage of the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando last season, with LAFC earning a 4-1 win.

• Brad Smith’s second-half goal marked the first in his Sounders FC career. The Australian, now in his second run with the club, also has eight assists in 46 MLS appearances (including postseason action).

• Head Coach Brian Schmetzer came out with the same lineup as the season-opening 4-0 win over Minnesota United, again utilizing a 3-5-2 formation.

• Homegrown midfelder Josh Atencio made his second career MLS start this afternoon in as many weeks. The Bellevue native made his first MLS start for Sounders FC on April 16 against Minnesota, logging 90 minutes in midfield alongside Cristian Roldan and João Paulo. The Homegrown Player recorded five appearances as a substitute in 2020. 

• With a point from Saturday’s contest, Seattle remains unbeaten in 2021 through two MLS games, having previously opened the season with a 4-0 win over Minnesota United on April 16.

• Sounders FC returns home next Sunday, May 2 with a home match against the LA Galaxy at Lumen Field (6:00 p.m. PT / FS1, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 1 – Los Angeles FC 1

Saturday, April 24, 2021

Venue: Banc of California Stadium

Referee: Armando Villarreal

Assistants: Cameron Blanchard, Chris Elliott

Fourth Official: Silviu Petrescu

VAR: Edvin Jurisevic

Attendance: 4,900 (limited capacity)

Weather: 65 degrees and clear

SCORING SUMMARY

LAFC – Eduard Atuesta 2’

SEA – Brad Smith 54’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Xavier Arreaga (caution) 78’

SEA – Ethan Dobbelaere (caution) 83’

SEA – Alex Roldan (caution) 85’

LAFC – Latif Blessing (caution) 88’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Shane O’Neill (Yeimar 75’), Xavier Arreaga, Nouhou, Brad Smith (Kelyn Rowe 75’); Cristian Roldan, Josh Atencio, João Paulo (Jordy Delem 83’); Will Bruin (Ethan Dobbelaere 83’), Raúl Ruidíaz

Substitutes not used: Spencer Richey, Stefan Cleveland, Danny Leyva

Total shots: 9

Shots on goal: 3

Fouls: 13 

Offside: 2

Corner-kicks: 3

Saves: 3

Los Angeles FC – Pablo Sisniega; Marco Farfan (Raheem Edwards 81’), Jesus Murillo, Eddie Segura, Deigo Palacios; Latif Blessing, Eduard Atuesta, Mark-Anthony Kaye; Kwadwo Opoku (Cal Jennings 81’), Corey Baird (Bryce Duke 64’), Jose Cifuentes (Francisco Ginella 80’)

Substitutes not used: Tomas Romero, Jordan Harvey, Alvaro Quezada, Antonio Leone, Moonhwan Kim

Total shots: 9

Shots on goal: 4

Fouls: 17

Offside: 1

Corner-kicks: 6

Saves: 2