The Seattle Sounders are hosting LAFC on Saturday in their first matchup of the season. Here is everything you need to know.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 1 p.m. PT at Lumen Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on FOX and you can watch free on the Apple TV app. Watch every match, all season long by subscribing to MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app. No restrictions and blackouts.
HOW TO LISTEN: The match will air on iHeart Radio in English and El Rey 1360AM in Spanish.
2023 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 2-1-0 (6 points, 3rd West), LAFC: 2-0-0 (6 points, 2nd West)
PREVIOUS MEETING: LAFC defeated the Sounders 2-1 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on July 29, 2022. Seattle took an early lead via a Jesús Murillo own goal in the 14th minute, but the hosts responded with goals from Kwadwo Opoku and Carlos Vela to take all three points.
CLASH OF THE TITANS: One of the marquee matchups of this season, Saturday’s fixture features the reigning CCL Champions vs. the defending MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield winners. With two of the top clubs in the league going head-to-head, it will be a can’t-miss event at Lumen Field.
HOME SUCCESS: Since dropping the 2018 MLS season-opener to LAFC, the Black and Gold’s first-ever MLS match, the Sounders have gone unbeaten at Lumen Field in the last six meetings (4-0-2). The only other time the road team has won in this series is when the Sounders won the 2019 Western Conference Championship 3-1 in Los Angeles en route to their second MLS Cup title.
MORRIS COOKING: Homegrown forward Jordan Morris scored in each of the club’s first two home matches against the Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake. If he scores again on Saturday, he’ll join Obafemi Martins (2015) as the only Sounders players to score in their first three home matches of the season. Newcomer Héber also scored in the first two home matches, but he is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
RUIDÍAZ READY?: After coming on for more than half an hour as a substitute last week, Sounders forward Raúl Ruidíaz could potentially make his first start of the MLS season this week. The Peruvian Designated Player has been recovering from injury early in the season but has made appearances in each of the last two matches as he works his way back to full fitness.
LAFC TICKETS
Come watch Seattle Sounders FC as the reigning CCL Champions host the reigning MLS Cup Champions at Lumen Field on Saturday, March 18!
NEW KIT DEBUT: Saturday also marks the first time the Sounders will wear The Bruce Lee Kit. Inspired the life and legacy of Bruce Lee, this kit honors his philosophies and values. You can learn more about the kit HERE and explore The Bruce Lee Collection HERE.
MIDWEEK CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Ahead of the match on Saturday, LAFC will host Costa Rica’s LD Alajuelense in the second leg of their opening round tie in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League on Wednesday. LAFC won the opener 3-0 on the road last week before falling 2-1 in the second leg to advance 4-2 on aggregate.
DENIS THE MENACE: LAFC forward Denis Bouanga is off to a flying start in 2023, with five goals and two assists in three matches in all competitions. The 28-year-old Designated Player bagged a hat trick, recording all three goals in LAFC’s win in Costa Rica last week in CCL, before scoring twice and assisting on a third in LAFC’s 4-0 win over the New England Revolution this past weekend.
