In its first road match of the 2021 season, Seattle Sounders FC (1-0-1, 4 points) earned a 1-1 draw against Los Angeles FC (1-0-1, 4 points) on Saturday afternoon at Banc of California Stadium. Recording his first goal as a Sounder in the 54th minute of play, Brad Smith cancelled out Eduard Atuesta’s first-half free kick, keeping the Rave Green unbeaten to begin the 2021 campaign. With the result, Seattle moves to 4-4-2 all-time against the Black & Gold, including postseason play. Saturday’s match marked the first contest between the two sides since the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, where the Rave Green advanced via a 3-1 scoreline on November 24.
Atuesta opened the scoring in the second minute after the home side suffered a foul just outside the area. The Colombian skipped the ensuing free kick under the Seattle wall and inside the near post to make it 1-0. The tally marked the first goal surrendered by the Rave Green in 2021, following a 4-0 season-opening win over Minnesota on April 16.
Seattle equalized in the 54th minute, courtesy of Smith’s first career MLS goal. The play began with Alex Roldan sending a dangerous cross into the area for Raúl Ruidíaz, whose initial header was saved. However, the Australian fullback pounced on the rebound with a tap-in header of his own, bouncing the ball off the turf inside the six-yard-box.
Brian Schmetzer’s side now returns to the Emerald City to prepare for a home date against Los Angeles’ other club, with the Galaxy coming into Lumen Field on Sunday, May 2. That contest is slated for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff, with FS1 providing national television coverage.
MATCH NOTES
- Sounders FC is 4-4-2 all-time against LAFC in MLS play (including postseason results). The club has a 2-4-2 record in regular season action. The two sides also met in the Knockout Stage of the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando last season, with LAFC earning a 4-1 win.
- Brad Smith’s second-half goal marked the first in his Sounders FC career. The Australian, now in his second run with the club, also has eight assists in 46 MLS appearances (including postseason action).
- Head Coach Brian Schmetzer came out with the same lineup as the season-opening 4-0 win over Minnesota United, again utilizing a 3-5-2 formation.
- Homegrown midfelder Josh Atencio made his second career MLS start this afternoon in as many weeks. The Bellevue native made his first MLS start for Sounders FC on April 16 against Minnesota, logging 90 minutes in midfield alongside Cristian Roldan and João Paulo. The Homegrown Player recorded five appearances as a substitute in 2020.
- With a point from Saturday’s contest, Seattle remains unbeaten in 2021 through two MLS games, having previously opened the season with a 4-0 win over Minnesota United on April 16.
- Sounders FC returns home next Sunday, May 2 with a home match against the LA Galaxy at Lumen Field (6:00 p.m. PT / FS1, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 1 – Los Angeles FC 1
Saturday, April 24, 2021
Venue: Banc of California Stadium
Referee: Armando Villarreal
Assistants: Cameron Blanchard, Chris Elliott
Fourth Official: Silviu Petrescu
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
Attendance: 4,900 (limited capacity)
Weather: 65 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
LAFC – Eduard Atuesta 2’
SEA – Brad Smith 54’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Xavier Arreaga (caution) 78’
SEA – Ethan Dobbelaere (caution) 83’
SEA – Alex Roldan (caution) 85’
LAFC – Latif Blessing (caution) 88’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Shane O’Neill (Yeimar 75’), Xavier Arreaga, Nouhou, Brad Smith (Kelyn Rowe 75’); Cristian Roldan, Josh Atencio, João Paulo (Jordy Delem 83’); Will Bruin (Ethan Dobbelaere 83’), Raúl Ruidíaz
Substitutes not used: Spencer Richey, Stefan Cleveland, Danny Leyva
Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 13
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 3
Saves: 3
Los Angeles FC – Pablo Sisniega; Marco Farfan (Raheem Edwards 81’), Jesus Murillo, Eddie Segura, Deigo Palacios; Latif Blessing, Eduard Atuesta, Mark-Anthony Kaye; Kwadwo Opoku (Cal Jennings 81’), Corey Baird (Bryce Duke 64’), Jose Cifuentes (Francisco Ginella 80’)
Substitutes not used: Tomas Romero, Jordan Harvey, Alvaro Quezada, Antonio Leone, Moonhwan Kim
Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 17
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 6
Saves: 2
