The stage is set. The Seattle Sounders will face the LA Galaxy to determine the Best of the West.
Two of the most decorated clubs in MLS history, the Galaxy and the Sounders will compete in a do-or-die Western Conference Final match held at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday night, with the winner earning the right to host MLS Cup.
“These are the games that show us what we got, show us what we're made of,” said Obed Vargas. “If we want to be champions, we have to beat the best teams.”
Both sides know what it takes to reach the Cup. Galaxy will be entering the match having won nine of their 13 total conference final appearances while Seattle has won four of their last six.
But after traveling to Los Angeles on Nov. 23 and taking down No. 1 seed LAFC on their home turf, the Sounders are ready to do the same against their upcoming opposition.
“We don't take any team lightly,” said midfielder Vargas. “LA Galaxy and LAFC were top of the West for a reason, but we have full confidence that we have the weapons to exploit them.”
These weapons are present on all areas of the pitch. Whether it be in the attack with Jordan Morris’ ability to make runs in behind, the collective midfield that breaks lines and finds pockets of space to split defenders, the lockdown defense run by goalkeeper Stefan Frei, or the players coming off the bench, the Sounders will be prepared for whatever is thrown at them.
“I think you see in our subs, you see in our starting 11, we had guys missing [last match], but JB, Reed [Baker-Whiting] stepped up big time…Even Nathan, JP, Josh [Atencio], all those guys came in. They really gave us a lot of energy in that game,” said Vargas. “And it just shows how this team believes in [each other]. I think the coaching staff believes in every single one of us, and knows that whenever we're needed, we're going to respond.”
He continued, “So that's what's really important for a team to be successful, and especially in this late of the tournament, to rely on everyone.”
Similar to LAFC, LA Galaxy has several high-profile names that have been dominant over the course of the regular season and into the playoffs. Former Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig, Ghana international Joseph Paintsil, and Brazilian winger Gabriel Pec are just a few of the impactful players on the Southern California team, combining for 10 goals and five assists in postseason play thus far.
The Sounders understand the difficulty that lies ahead, but are firmly rooted in their own abilities and togetherness to grind out a win against a team of Galaxy’s calibur.
“We have full confidence in ourselves,” said Vargas. “We always knew we were a good team. We always knew that we could go far. It was just a matter of getting things to click and showing it.”
Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney said it perfectly in his post-match press conference following their Western Conference Semifinal victory over Minnesota United.
“As much as anything, just the gritty determination that the group has, and the understanding of how to win in big moments, that's sometimes unteachable, but they learned it as a collective group. They have a group that's just playoff experienced, and they know how to go in tough places and get results.”
