LAFC are in for a surprise if the Sounders have their way

The match can be viewed on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass or listened to on KJR 93.3 FM this Wednesday, May 14th at 7:30 pm in Houston against LAFC.

In the Standings, the 5th-place Seattle Sounders will be taking on the 6th-place LAFC. Both teams are loaded with talent, so it may come down to the run of form. The Sounders have had one tie and four wins in the last 5 games.

LAFC during that stretch has 2 wins and 3 ties. While both teams are unbeaten in that stretch, the Sounders continue to improve their attack, and LAFC squandered a 2-goal lead in their last match. Either team can score at any moment, so the midweek match-up should be action-packed entertainment. LAFC may be looking to even the score from their defeat in Seattle where they gave up 5 goals and scored only 2.

In terms of good form, Danny Musovski has scored a goal in each of the last 5 games. Ryan Schmetzer attributes his success to making runs inside the 6 yard box and working hard in training, which produces good results on the pitch.

The Sounders, in general, have been playing very well. As players are getting healthier and with the addition of Ryan Kent on the left side, defenses cannot sleep on the Sounders' attack like they did last season. The revitalized offense and depth of talent has the makings of a phenomenal run.

The Sounders have always relied on their defense, from when Kasey Keller led one of the stingiest defenses in the League. That tradition has continued under Stefan Frei's watchful eye. When the Sounders have been dominant is when their offense starts clicking.

The give-and-go wall passes between Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey, or Nicolas Ladeiro breathing life into the attack with his technical passing and work rate come to mind. Schemtzer claims that this year's team has the most depth, meaning training is intense, and fans can expect a lift in play anytime a sub is made.

Players to look for:

Danny Musovski has scored 5 goals in 5 games after weaker performances earlier in the season. If he can score in Wednesday's game, only Raul Ruidiaz has accomplished that feat for the Sounders.

Albert Rusnak continues to distribute the ball with technical skill, dictating the flow of the offense, as well as capitalizing on goal scoring opportunities.

Ryan Kent has significantly enhanced the Rave Green attack; his quick passing and ability to beat defenders 1-on-1 have opened up passing lanes where the Sounders have finished well. He did take his first shot as a Sounder, but he mishit the one timer, and it soared into the stands.

As he makes runs inside, he opens up the left side for contributions from Nouhou or whoever Schmetzer puts in as left midfielder, adding a level of complexity to the attack that opposing teams have been unable to stop from scoring. If teams fail to focus their defense on him, he may have the break-out season he hoped for with his fresh start with the Sounders.

Pedro De La Vega and Paul Rothrock have both been playing inspired soccer and both of them are competing for minutes, so look for them to contribute whenever possible in hopes they will earn more minutes on the pitch.

Osaze De Rosario has had a couple of games under his belt. As he adjusts to the League, look for him to contribute in the same way that he has scoring 10 goals with the Defiance.

Injuries: Paul Arriola (out for the season), Jordan Morris (out for the season), Jackson Ragen (Ragen may return for the LAFC match, or the following match against the Timbers), Jesus Ferreria (came in as a sub in Saturday's game), LAFC's Lorenzo Dellavalle (out for the season)

LAFC has a 4 game unbeaten streak going and has scored 9 times during that stretch, the Sounders have scored 12 times in their 5 game unbeaten streak, 11 of them in hte last 4 games, so fans for both sides can expect to see many goal-scoring opportunities with great technical skill on display.