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Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
When: Sunday, April 28, 12:30 pm PT
How to Watch: ESPN, ESPN Deportes in the United States.
Last week, Los Angeles Football Club took on the Seattle Sounders in a clash between two of the top teams in the Western Conference. LAFC sat atop the West, with undefeated Seattle just a few points behind. The much-hyped matchup fit the bill, but just on LAFC’s side of things, as they walked away with a dominating 4-1 win over Seattle at home. Now, it’s time for part two, this time in Seattle, as MLS scheduling quirks have given us the same matchup two consecutive weeks.
LAFC’s statement win over Seattle was just what the Black-and-Gold needed after suffering their first loss of the season on the road to Vancouver a few days before. LAFC got right back into their blazing goalscoring form, with now 25 goals scored through nine matches. Carlos Vela got involved as always and made an early impact, and proved once again why he is MLS MVP at this point through the season. Meanwhile, Seattle was handed a startling first loss of the season, yet another team falling victim to LAFC’s nearly flawless record in 2019.
LAFC currently sit on top of the Western Conference with 22 points through nine matches. Seattle also are in the same spot as last week, in third, but now sit two points behind the second-placed Galaxy with 17.
Seattle’s home form, as the matchup shifts to CenturyLink Field, is nothing to scoff at. They have 16 wins, two draws, and five losses in all competitions since the start of last season, one of those being LAFC’s first game and win in MLS, a 1-0 victory in Seattle. LAFC’s road form, on the other hand, is not great, but not bad, at nine wins, three draws, and 10 losses.
Prediction: Seattle 1, LAFC 2. Despite LAFC throttling Seattle last week, the Sounders are not a bad team — they were unbeaten before for a reason. These types of matches, with the same opponent of the previous week, are hard to predict. I think Seattle comes out with a different lineup and different approach, and will run LAFC a bit closer than last week, but I think LAFC gets the job done on the road.
What do you think? Leave a comment below!