Two of the newest and most successful franchises, LAFC and Seattle Sounders, had their fourth encounter in the playoffs. In their three previous battles, 2018, 2020, and 2023, the Sounders have a favorable advantage with two victories and only one defeat. These games, and their multiple intense battles during regular season, have created an interesting rivalry.
LAFC brought a 3-4-3; the three in front were Denis Bouanga, Oliver Giroud, and Mateus Bogusz. The three in the back included Maxime Chanot, Aaron Long and Jesus Murillo. The starting lineup were completed with Rayan Hollingshead and Sergi Palencia as wingers; and Eduard Atuesta and Lewis O´Brien as midfielders. Hugo Lloris was between the pipes.
The Sounders step at BMO with the following players: Stefan Frei as goalkeeper; Jackson Regan, Yeimar, Jonathan Bell, and Alex Roldan playing with freedom; Cristian Roldan and Obed Vargas as solid midfielders; Baker-White and Albert Rusnack adding strength to the midfield; and Pedro de la Vega and Jordan Morris as attack.
The first half had their chances, but nothing went through Stefan Frei nor Hugo Lloris´ net. A tense half ended scoreless. The rest of the game was equally tense, but more chances appeared in both goals. Mateusz Bogusz and Rayan Hollingshead, two players who perform multiple position, were involved in the first and only goal of the Black and Gold. An assist of the Polish attacker ended with yer another goal for Hollingshead, his third of the season, this at the 50th minute. Almost ten minutes later, an interesting passing sequence between Obed Vargas and Albert Rusnack ended with an own goal by LAFC defender Maxime Chanot. After that, Sounders took ownership of the ball, but the Black and Gold had the clearer chances. With an outstanding performance by Stefan Frei, this tense match went to extra time. Even Aaron Long made a bicycle kick, but Frei deflected the ball.
The tendency of Frei avoiding LAFC attackers scoring continued in the last half an hour of the game. In a corner kick that ended with a scrambled play had Jordan Morris placing the bell in the net, this at the beginning of the second half of extra time.
Tactically, LAFC ended without Oliver Giroud, taking out Mateus Bogusz, and bringing Kei Kamara seeking to tie the game. Unfortunately, for LAFC, the effectiveness was for Brian Schmetzer´s team.
LAFC finishes the 2024 season with an US Open Cup title that qualifies them to the CONCACAF Cup. Sounders move on to the Western Conference final waiting for the winner between Minesota United and Los Angeles Galaxy.
