Sounders look to upset LAFC in 2019 Western Conference Finals
LAFC accomplished a feat it lacked in its young resume. It came in a crucial time, as well. For the first time in the team, history LAFC defeated The LA Galaxy. They earned that victory in a Western Conference playoff match last week at Banc of California Stadium.
As the top seed in the West, LAFC had to win just one game to get to this point in the post-season. After suffering a first-round defeat at home last year in the playoffs against Real Salt Lake, all LAFC needed to do this year was to beat their rivals, the LA Galaxy, after failing to do so in their first five matchups. Bob Bradley’s side let things get more exciting than they should have been, wasting a two-goal lead from Carlos Vela to concede an equalizer early in the second half.
Later in the match, Diego Rossi scored the go-ahead goal, and Adama Diomande sealed the contest, offsetting a goal from Rolf Feltscher in a wild 5-3 win for LAFC. It wasn’t the most convincing of displays, especially defensively, with Walker Zimmerman coming on as a substitute and Dejan Jakovic getting a rare start.
The outcome was all that mattered, though, and one of the most prolific teams in league history is now on the doorstep of making their first MLS Cup final in just their second season. Standing in their way is Brian Schmetzer’s side, which survived a scare in the first round of the playoffs against FC Dallas. Jordan Morris scored a hat trick, including the extra-time winner, but the Sounders blew a two-goal lead in the first half and needed several excellent saves from Stefan Frei to avoid falling behind before Morris’ game-winning goal.
There was a bit less drama in their conference semifinal game, as the Sounders used their home-field advantage to see off RSL. Gustav Svensson and Nicolas Lodeiro provided the offensive punch needed to advance, which put the Sounders a win away from making their third MLS Cup final in four years. Lodeiro is the Sounders attacking midfielder from Uruguay who has the skills to make plays and make an impact in any game.
The two sides have not played since April when they squared-off in back-to-back games. LAFC won 4-1 at Banc of California Stadium, where tonight’s night game will take place, then that following week, a 1-1 draw took place between the two teams in Seattle.
A win for LAFC will be significant not only for Bradley and the team but for its fans in the City of Angels, though for the season to go down as one of the absolute best in MLS history, LAFC needs to win the Cup. Should Seattle take the game, Schmetzer will continue to cement his legacy, having guided one of the more storied clubs in league history to yet another MLS Cup Final under his tenure.
