In a rematch of the 2023 Western Conference semi-finals, Los Angeles FC open the 2024 MLS campaign by welcoming the Seattle Sounders to BMO Stadium.
The Black and Gold knocked the Rave Green out of the playoffs last season, winning that second-round fixture 1-0, but ultimately lost in the MLS Cup final, 2-1 versus the Columbus Crew.
Match preview
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Almost is the best word to describe the 2023 campaign for LAFC, who lost in the CONCACAF Champions League final (CCL), the Campeones Cup final and the MLS Cup final, while being knocked out at the Leagues Cup quarter-finals.
Even though they failed to lift a trophy last year, Steve Cherundolo has enjoyed plenty of success as their manager, winning a combined 35 regular season games over the past two campaigns, making the MLS Cup final on consecutive occasions and lifting that trophy in 2022.
What is most impressive is that Cherundolo has been successful despite his side absorbing pressure, yet still controlling games despite being out of possession for long stretches.
When you possess the kind of attacking quality he has at his disposal, it is a tactic that can be effective, though they lost some veteran leadership defensively in the off-season.
Los Angeles FC have scored over 50 goals in three successive MLS regular seasons, netting 54 a season ago, the third-most in the Western Conference.
In 2023, the Black and Gold claimed three points in 10 regular season affairs at BMO Field and were only held pointless in four home fixtures.
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After a temporary playoff hiatus, the Sounders side we have come to expect came out of hibernation in the 2023 regular season.
In 2022, Brian Schmetzer's men missed the playoffs for the first time in club history but ended the previous domestic campaign in second place in the Western Conference, claiming 53 points, a dozen more than the previous year.
Despite some of their ageing attacking threats being ineffective, the Sounders were relatively healthy a year ago, and their midfield depth ultimately carried them through.
Seattle had the best expected goals allowed per Opta during the 2023 domestic campaign, looking rock solid in every position on the field.
The Sounders claimed at least a point in 12 of their 17 MLS away fixtures a season ago, including seven victories, the second-most in the Western Conference behind Real Salt Lake (eight).
They were back to the well-organised, difficult to break down defensive unit from years past last season, finishing tied with Nashville SC for the fewest goals conceded in the regular season (32).
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Team News
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During the off-season, LA signed Venezuelan teenage phenom David Martinez, Hugo Lloris joined after nearly a year away from the game, Omar Campos came over from Liga MX and Eduard Atuesta is on loan from Palmeiras.
On their way out are Diego Palacios, who is off to Corinthians, Maxime Crepeau is now in Portland with the Timbers, Kellyn Acosta joined the Chicago Fire and Giorgio Chiellini retired to become a player development coach for this team.
Denis Bouanga is back, coming off winning the MLS Golden Boot with 20 goals in the 2023 regular season, notching the only goal in their Western Conference semi-final triumph over Seattle last year.
Nathan is dealing with a cruciate ligament injury sustained earlier this month, while the Sounders might also be without Jackson Ragen and Dylan Teves due to knee and muscle issues, respectively.
Seattle added Danny Musovski, who previously played three seasons with LAFC, while also signing Pedro de la Vega from Argentina for one of the largest transfer fees in club history.
Club legend Nicolas Lodeiro left the Sounders over the off-season to join Orlando City, while the club released Heber after the 2023 campaign concluded.
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Hollingshead, Murillo, Long, Campos; Tillman, Sanchez, Atuesta; Olivera, Angel, Bouanga
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; A. Roldan, Andrade, Baker, Tolo; Atencio, Paulo; C. Roldan, Rusnak, De la Vega; Morris
We say: Los Angeles FC 1-0 Seattle Sounders
We have no doubt Seattle will be difficult to score on this season, but we are not convinced they will be able to bury their chances.
LAFC, meanwhile, have no problem hanging back, and they have an established leader and shot-stopper between the sticks, along with plenty of quality in the attack.
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