The much-anticipated matchup between Sounders FC and Los Angeles FC had everything but goals. A capacity home crowd at Lumen Field saw their side don the red Bruce Lee jersey with the black shorts. The jersey is one of the hottest-selling kits in MLS. Now back to the game.
LAFC rolled into Lumen Field undefeated in two MLS contests and still wearing the defending champion crown. Sounders FCs were looking for redemption on multiple fronts. Proving the first two games in which, they scored six goals and did not concede was not a fluke and point number two to prove was that last week’s 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati was an aberration.
If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best and that was the mindset of the Sounders going into Saturday’s contest.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN
Last year the Sounders might have lost this game as mentioned by Alex Roldan in the video. But this is not last year and if the Sounders plan on rolling with the big dogs of MLS they have to play more consistently and finish their chances in the final third. The effort was there but scoring goals is all about executing when you have the opportunity or opportunities if one is so lucky. In soccer you have to create your luck and going two games without a goal raises some yellow turning to red flags. I the return of Raul Ruidiz to the lineup should take just one game. The Sounders are playing great defense which means they are in every game until the opponent scores. If they hold the opponent scoreless then they split the points. Against LAFC that’s acceptable, against Kansas City next week not so much.
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POSTGAME NOTES
MATCH NOTES
- At the time of writing, Sounders FC moves to third in the MLS Western Conference, level with LAFC on seven points, but trailing today’s opponent on goals scored (seven to six).
- Seattle’s home record against LAFC moves to 4-1-3 following today’s result in all competitions. Overall, Sounders FC is now a combined 5-6-4 against the Southern California side, including postseason play.
- At Lumen Field in 2023, the Rave Green move to 2-0-1 through their first three matches on home turf.
- Goalkeeper Stefan Frei recorded his third shutout of the season. With 94 career clean sheets, Frei ranks third all-time in MLS behind Nick Rimando (154) and Kevin Hartman (112).
- Having conceded just one goal through the first four matches of the season, Seattle ties the 2009 Sounders FC team with the fewest goals allowed to open a season through four MLS games.
- Forward Raúl Ruidíaz made his first start of the 2023 season on Saturday afternoon. The Peruvian made his 2023 debut as an 81st-minute substitute in a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on March 4, marking his return from a right hamstring strain that forced him to miss the club’s opening MLS match vs. Colorado.
- Ruidíaz also notched his 100th MLS regular-season appearance for Seattle this afternoon. Since joining the club in the summer transfer window of 2018, Ruidíaz has logged 89 regular-season starts to accompany 59 goals and 11 assists in that span.
- Making a substitute appearance in the 55th minute of play for injured teammate Jackson Ragen, centerback Xavier Arreaga made his 100th career appearance for the Rave Green across all competitions (82nd appearance in MLS regular-season play).
- Midfielder Obed Vargas made his 2023 debut with a substitute appearance in the 63rd minute for João Paulo. Vargas has missed time since last summer due to a stress fracture in his lower back. He last played on June 18, 2022 vs. LAFC.
- Head Coach Brian Schmetzer made one change to the starting XI that faced FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on March 11, with Ruidíaz replacing Fredy Montero at the forward position. Stefan Frei led a backline composed of Alex Roldan, Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Jackson Ragen and Nouhou, with Josh Atencio and Albert Rusnák anchoring central midfield. Cristian Roldan, Nicolás Lodeiro and Jordan Morris led the attack, with Ruidíaz playing up front.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 0 – Los Angeles FC 0
Saturday, March 18, 2023
Venue: Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Assistants: Jeremy Hanson, Kevin Lock
Fourth Official: Ramy Touchan
VAR: Geoff Gamble
Attendance: 32,515
Weather: 58 degrees and sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
None
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – João Paulo (caution) 35’
LAFC – Aaron Long (caution) 43’
SEA – Nouhou (caution) 43’
SEA – Albert Rusnák (caution) 45’
LAFC – Kellyn Acosta (caution) 48’
SEA – Alex Roldan (caution) 56’
LAFC – Denis Bouanga (caution) 84’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan (Fredy Montero 79’), Yeimar, Jackson Ragen (Xavier Arreaga 55’), Nouhou; João Paulo (Obed Vargas 63’), Albert Rusnák, Cristian Roldan, Nico Lodeiro, Jordan Morris; Raúl Ruidíaz (Léo Chú 63’)
Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Kelyn Rowe, Reed Baker-Whiting, Danny Leyva, Dylan Teves
Total shots: 11
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 15
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 3
Los Angeles FC – John McCarthy; Jesus Murillo, Diego Palacios, Sergi Palencia, Aaron Long; Ilie Sánchez, Timothy Tillman (Jose Cifuentes 66’), Kellyn Acosta (Erik Dueñas 82’); Carlos Vela (Stipe Biuk 66’), Kwadwo Opoku, Denis Bouanga
Substitutes not used: Eldin Jakupovic, Denil Maldonado, Christian Torres, Nathan Ordaz, Julian Gaines
Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 13
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 4
