Sounders relishing the opportunity to face Supporters’ Shield leaders LAFC

Having won four of their last five games the Sounders FC ( 6-6-1) will take on Supportes’s Shield Leaders and Western Conference top dog LAFC (9-3-2). The Sounders are relishing the opportunity to prove they are solely focused on MLS play. The Sounders will be shorthanded when they take on LAFC. Striker Raul Ruidaz is out with a left hamstring strain. Sounders will see the return of Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris.

QUICK GAME NOTES

Seattle welcomes Los Angeles FC to Lumen Field on Saturday for the first matchup between the two sides this season. LAFC currently leads the Supporters’ Shield standings with 29 points (9-3-2).

 Although LAFC joined MLS in 2018, the two sides have quickly formed a West Coast rivalry, facing off 10 times in regular-season ac- tion. LAFC holds a 5-3-2 edge with a 15-12 scoring advantage.

Seattle has gotten the better LAFC in both postseason matchups, most notably earning a 3-1 win in the 2019 Western Conference Final at Banc of California Stadium before capturing the 2019 MLS Cup title. Brian Schmetzer’s side eliminated LAFC the following year in the post- season with 3-1 win in the First Round.

The Sounders enter this duel vs. LAFC after a 4-0 win over the Whitecaps on Tuesday night at Lumen Field. The Sounders have now won four of their last five MLS regular season matches and hold a 6-6-1 record (19 points).

LAFC earned their first and only win in Seattle 1-0 on March 4, 2018. The Black & Gold went on to drop points in three of their last four games played in Seattle.

The last time LAFC have earned a point in Seattle was during the 1-1 draw on April 28,2019.