Seattle Sounders vs LAFC over the years

Seattle Sounders and LAFC are two of the most successful and exciting teams in MLS, and their clashes over the years have produced some memorable moments and thrilling matches. We will take a look at the history and highlights of this rivalry, as well as preview their upcoming season opener on February 24.

Sounders and LAFC are conference rivals who typically face each other two times a year. In some seasons, they have met three times. They have played 14 matches in regular seasons so far. LAFC has won seven of those matches, while Seattle has won only three. The remaining four matches ended in draws.

During the pandemic, they also competed in the "MLS is Back" tournament, where LAFC defeated Seattle 4-1 in the round of 16. They have met three times in the MLS Cup playoffs. Seattle prevailed in 2019 and 2020, but LAFC got their revenge last season.

The Seattle Sounders have struggled to win against LAFC on the road. Out of eight matches played at LAFC's stadium, the Sounders have only won once (in the 2019 playoffs) and drawn once. LAFC have claimed victory in the remaining six games.

The Beginning: LAFC's First MLS Game and Home Opener

The rivalry between Seattle and LAFC started from day one, literally. LAFC's first ever MLS game was against the Sounders at CenturyLink Field on March 4, 2018. The expansion team stunned the hosts with a 1-0 win, thanks to a goal by Diego Rossi in the 11th minute, the fastest ever scored by an expansion club.

Less than two months later, on April 29, 2018, LAFC hosted Seattle for their first home game at Banc of California Stadium. The match was heading for a goalless draw until Laurent Ciman scored a dramatic winner in stoppage time with a free kick that slipped under Stefan Frei's gloves. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the home fans and players, and marked another milestone for LAFC in their inaugural campaign.

The Turning Point: Seattle's Revenge in the 2019 Playoffs

After losing their first two meetings with LAFC, Seattle finally got their revenge in the most important one: the 2019 Western Conference Final. Traveling to the Banc as heavy underdogs against a dominant, Supporters' Shield-winning LAFC side that had put up the greatest single season in league history, Seattle was on the ropes after Atuesta curled home a gorgeous free kick past Frei to give the hosts the lead after 17 minutes.

But the Sounders showed their resilience and experience, and turned the game around with goals from Ruidiaz, Lodeiro and Ruidiaz again to stun LAFC 3-1 and advance to their third MLS Cup final in four years. It was a shocking result that ended LAFC's dream season and gave Seattle a huge boost of confidence heading into the final, where they would beat Toronto FC 3-1 to claim their second MLS Cup title.

The Rematch: Sounders did it again in the 2020 Playoffs

The 2020 season was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but both Seattle and LAFC managed to qualify for the playoffs again. They met in the first round, setting up a rematch of the previous year's conference final. The Rave Green repeated the score: 3-1. Goals for Nicolás Lodeiro, Raúl Ruidiaz and Jordan Morris. Eduard Atuesta scored for the visitors.

The Sounders reached the MLS Cup final that year, but they lost 3-0 to Columbus Crew, who dashed Seattle's dreams of retaining their MLS Cup crown and becoming the first team to win consecutive titles since LA Galaxy in 2011-2012.

The revenge: Another Playoff Showdown in 2023

Fast forward to 2023, and both Seattle and LAFC were back in the playoffs, ready to face each other once more in the Western Conference Semifinals. The two teams have been evenly matched this season, drawing 0-0 in March and LAFC winning 1-0 in June. Both teams have also been in good form at the end of the season, with Seattle finishing second in the West with 53 points and LAFC third with 52 points.

The only goal of the game came from Denis Bouanga in the 30th minute, with Timothy Tillman providing the assist. Sounders created many opportunities to score, but LAFC's goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau denied them with a brilliant performance.