Sounders drop 2024 opener in 2-1 loss in Los Angeles

For the first time in eight years, the Seattle Sounders began their season on the road, and just like that match in 2017, they were unable to find a season-opening win as they dropped, 2-1 to LAFC. Despite new signing Pedro de la Vega notching a debut goal off a 70th minute penalty, the match-winner came from LAFC midfielder Matheus Bogusz, whose goal will almost certainly contend for MLS Goal of the Matchweek.

Seattle held its ground reasonably well in the first half; despite conceding 13 shots (six on target), the Sounders were able to remain steadfast for nearly the entire period. In the 45th minute, though, a breakdown in communication between Jackson Ragen, who called out LAFC midfielder Timothy Tillman free in the box and Nouhou, who was left standing as the USMNT international finished a looping cross to send Seattle into the half down a goal. It was a concession that head coach Brian Schmetzer called “disappointing” after the fact, but allowed that debut goalkeeper Andrew Thomas had little else that he could do.

That solidity isn’t a huge surprise for the defense that led the league in goals conceded last season — nobody allowed less than the Sounders’ 32 — but without Yeimar Gomez Andrade and Stefan Frei in the lineup, there would be questions asked. Those queries came in transition, as has become customary from the Black and Gold, and early chances from Cristian Olivera and 2023 Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga were rebuffed.

Meanwhile, Seattle’s front two of Jordan Morris and Raúl Ruidíaz were unable to capitalize upon the chances that fell to them: of the Sounders’ 10 first-half shots, a wasted 3rd minute effort from Morris, who found himself one on one with Hugo Lloris but only directed at the Frenchman’s chest, was the best.

“I wish they would’ve thought more”, Schmetzer said postgame. “We got the ball down in the final third on numerous occasions, but that final product, that final pass, that final idea.”

Seattle’s shape in possession wasn’t unfamiliar — often, Alex Roldan would push high up the right wing while Nouhou would tuck in from his spot on the left flank to form a back three with Ragen and Nathan. However, the midfield pairing of Obed Vargas and Josh Atencio would be where most of Seattle’s issues with the ball sprung from: without João Paulo, the two Sounders Academy products found themselves outmatched by LAFC’s midfield trio.

In the midst of a refereeing crisis, though, controversy swirled. Nine first-half fouls from the home team went relatively unpunished, while a singular foul was called on the Sounders, and captain Cristian Roldan was booked for his dissent following a no-call on Tillman. Center referee Wesley Costa faced questions as the game that Schmetzer said “Is a rivalry” last week threatened to boil over.

The second half didn’t start well for the Sounders either. Bouanga hit the crossbar on a turn-and-shoot opportunity and rattled, Seattle conceded to Matheus Bogusz 10 minutes into the half. Bogusz’s shot, which powered off the crossbar and down into the back of the net. Ruidíaz exited shortly afterwards, for free agent signing Danny Musovski.

After him came another Sounders debutant — reported $7.5m transfer Pedro de la Vega. The Argentinian was absent from the lineup for much of preseason, but featured in Seattle’s final exhibition match against Sacramento Republic, where he scored a penalty kick.

With 20 minutes to play, Morris found himself through on goal once again. This time, though, his USMNT teammate Aaron Long’s tackle was wide of the ball and took Morris down instead. Following a lengthy VAR review, the penalty was awarded, and de la Vega opened his account as he slotted the ball past Hugo Lloris. With 15 minutes to play, Seattle found itself just a goal down.

De la Vega said through a translator postgame, “ told me that I was going to take the penalty and that was something that really helped me out with my trust in myself — it gave me confidence.”

Meanwhile, a crunching tackle from Nouhou — already on a yellow card after a 66th minute tackle — was deemed unworthy of a second booking. LAFC howled, but the Cameroonian would remain on the pitch.

De la Vega fueled an inspired Sounders team that pushed through the final half hour of the game — Seattle’s best third. The flurry of half-chances that followed could not be capitalized upon, though, and six anxious minutes of stoppage time could not shake Steve Cherundolo’s LAFC.

For Seattle, it was obviously not the ideal way to begin its 50th-anniversary campaign, but flashes of brilliance were present. They battled with the team that will likely be this season’s biggest competition atop the Western Conference — and with neither team at full strength, a strong matchup regardless left LAFC with the advantage after Matchweek One.

The Sounders look ahead to next Saturday’s home opener, against Austin FC, which is set to kick off at 7:30 PM at Lumen Field. Those missing today — Albert Rusnák, Stefan Frei and João Paulo — will inch closer to full health, and Seattle will look to find its first win of the MLS season in just over a week’s time.

Feature photo by Sounders FC Communications