In the Seattle Sounders’ last two Leagues Cup matches, the team proved they can compete against the best of the best in both Major League Soccer and Liga MX.
After struggling against top contenders earlier in the season, the Sounders have rattled off a comprehensive 3-1 win over Western Conference-leading LA Galaxy and a 4-0 dismantling of Pumas UNAM in a rematch of the 2022 CCL final.
“Maybe there's [been] some ups and downs in our season, but I think the club has performed very well,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “This is a group that can win more games.”
The Sounders have the opportunity to continue their string of statement results as the team prepares for MLS powerhouse LAFC in the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals.
“We are really excited,” said midfielder Paul Rothrock. “A lot to build on and work off of for Saturday, definitely.”
The last few head-to-head battles against LAFC ended in the California side’s favor, but with the Sounders’ recent form in Leagues Cup, the players are confident as they look ahead to Saturday’s matchup.
“I think we're in the best position we've been recently to give these guys a real challenge and come away with a win,” said Rothrock.
He continued, mentioning how feeling of “togetherness” has ultimately brought out the team’s morale in a big way.
“I think at previous times in the season, maybe we didn't show it in the same way. I think it's always been there, but I think that really came through on Monday,” he said. “Guys were sticking up for each other, guys were sticking up for themselves, and I think too, just a really complete performance.”
That feeling of togetherness coincides with their understanding of what to prepare for as the Sounders reflect and learn from their previous 3-0 loss against the Black and Gold on July 20.
“We had a really good run of form, and then we built up the game, hyped up the game, measured ourselves, and then we fell flat,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “The individual mistakes that we made in that game weren't what we were all about, so against a good team like LAFC, you have to play mistake free, if you can. And then on the flip side of that is when you have chances against them, if they happen to make a mistake, you have to make them pay.”
As things stand, the path to trophies for Sounders FC in 2024 runs through LAFC. In addition the impending Leagues Cup Quarterfinal, Seattle will face the Black & Gold in the U.S. Open Cup Semifinal on Aug. 28. And if the Sounders hope to reach MLS Cup for the fifth time since 2016, they will likely need to beat LAFC along the way.
For now, Seattle is focusing on this weekend’s quarterfinal match, determined to finally secure a win over LAFC after three years, and continue their journey toward their first-ever Leagues Cup trophy.
“We're all hungry for retribution and for changing the narrative in our meetings with these guys,” said Rothrock.
