Los Angeles, California (April 29, 2018) – After winning their first MLS match of the 2018 season last weekend, the Seattle Sounders FC are hungry for more.
Last weekend, Seattle claimed a 3-1 victory over Minnesota United FC. The Sounders have success against Minnesota United FC, going undefeated in all three matches played.
Preview: Sounders looking to build momentum against LAFC
Last year, Minnesota was the expansion team. This year, it’s Los Angeles FC. The Sounders are attempting to build momentum against the new MLS club, who is off to a hot start in 2018.
Los Angeles FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC
2018 MLS Regular Season
Banc of California Stadium
April 29, 2018 – 6 p.m. PT
Stream: MLS Live
What To Watch For
Tyler Miller
Former Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Tyler Miller has solidified himself as the top goalkeeper with LAFC. After spending two seasons with the Sounders, Miller was picked up by LAFC in the 2017 Expansion Draft. He was taken with LAFC’s first selection.
Since then, the 25-year-old has recorded two shutouts in six matches, 18 saves and a record of 4-2-0.
What makes Miller so interesting to watch is his knowledge of his former club. In practices, Miller was facing the likes of Clint Dempsey, Nicolas Lodeiro, and Osvaldo Alonso on a regular basis.
He knows where they like to shoot — and how to stop them. This really is Miller’s match to lose.
This video is sooo 2017.
Cristian Roldan on facing Tyler Miller on Sunday evening: "It's time to score some goals on LAFC." #LAFCvSEA pic.twitter.com/7Dt1iPYkpB
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) April 28, 2018
The Injury Report
Seattle Sounders FC
For the second week in a row, midfielder Harry Shipp has been ruled out with a right ankle sprain.
Meanwhile, there are four players listed as questionable. Defender Kim Kee-Hee, who has been battling a right calf strain, has been upgraded from out to questionable.
Fellow defenders Waylon Francis and Chad Marshall are also listed as questionable. Marshall is combating a neck sprain while Francis is rehabbing a right hamstring strain.
Victor Rodriguez has been listed once again as questionable with a right knee sprain. However, the midfielder was in the Sounders’ 18-man game day roster last weekend against Minnesota.
All players that are questionable will be game-time decisions.
Los Angeles FC
Bob Bradley is a great coach and lucky man. The LAFC head coach doesn’t have the same problem that Brian Schmetzer, Sounders FC head coach, has to endure.
Bradley only has one player on his injury list. Goalkeeper Luis Lopez has been listed as out with a right tibial stress fracture. The bulk of Los Angeles’ roster is healthy.
Previous Meeting: March 4, 2018
In their first match this season, Los Angeles FC visited CenturyLink Field to face the Sounders.
Diego Rossi was the hero of the match, scoring the club’s first goal in the 11th minute. Meanwhile, Miller also put a display on in front of his former team, making seven saves to preserve his first LAFC clean sheet.
LAFC won the match, 1-0. On their home field, the Sounders held a better possession, securing the ball for 59.9 percent of the match. If LAFC wants to change anything on Sunday, they’ll look to have more possession.
Prediction: LAFC 1, Sounders 1
While there was a surprising ending back in March, this month’s match might be different.
Granted, LAFC is still a powerhouse team in the MLS Western Conference. They currently sit in third place in the conference while the Sounders are at the bottom. However, Seattle had a big confidence booster last weekend.
Minnesota isn’t LAFC, though. There’s a stark difference in talent. Despite this, if Seattle’s defense can keep Carlos Vela, Benny Feilhaber, and Rossi in check, there’s a chance that Seattle could secure a point on the road.
Right now, Seattle will take whatever points they can get.
What could come back and bite Seattle, though, is that the match is LAFC’s home opener. Over a month into the MLS season, LAFC fans are getting frigidity.
They’ll do whatever they can to get their club three points.
"The heart of LA."
@MagicJohnson, @MiaHamm and @Nomar5 talk @LAFC's new home. #LAFCComesHome https://t.co/FGJaDxgAYl
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 27, 2018
