For the fifth time in a row, LAFC beat Seattle Sounders FC 3-0 at Lumen Field on Saturday night to take one step closer toward their first trophy of the season with a berth in the Leagues Cup semifinals.
From the early minutes, the Black and Gold expectedly looked to punish Seattle in transition but they also zeroed in on direct passes from their central defenders into the attacking line. Jesús Murillo opened a chance for Mateusz Bogusz in that manner who saw his shot saved but it was Maxime Chanot providing the long-ball assist to an overlapping Ryan Hollingshead for the opening goal (14’).
An early goal was the last thing Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer wanted to see as it allowed LAFC to cede possession while relying on the most dangerous aspect of their game model — transitions. With only 35% first-half possession, Bogusz would continue finding chances on that path but it was MLS icon Kei Kamara acrobatically doubling the lead for the Black and Gold with a scissor-kick volley on a corner Seattle failed to clear (25’).
‘Here we go again’ was the feeling from the Sounders at that point who had conceded in the 16th and 26th minutes in their last match against LAFC a month ago, going on to lose 3-0. Seattle didn’t want that to happen again and pushed on for the rest of the half, creating a few chances through Paul Rothrock but nothing as dangerous as the visitors continued to be in transition. Denis Bouanga nearly tacked on the third just before halftime when he ran onto another direct ball over the top from Hollingshead before seeing his effort denied by the post.
Not to worry, Bouanga would get his goal early in the second half on a nearly identical play with the assist coming from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris — the second goal combination between Lloris and Bouanga in the last three matches. This time the post was Bouanga’s friend rather than his enemy.
With his fifth goal of the campaign, the reigning MLS Golden Boot winner officially became the highest scorer in Leagues Cup history on 11 goals, surpassing Argentinian legend Lionel Messi who scored 10 goals in last year’s inaugural Leagues Cup but was injured and unable to participate this season. Still, the Gabonese has needed to produce at least one goal contribution in all eight Leagues Cup games he has played in across both seasons to pass Messi.
Without a need for any more goals, all-time leading French goalscorer Olivier Giroud entered the game alongside LAFC debutant Lewis O’Brien as the visitors saw out a second consecutive 3-0 victory over the Sounders in Seattle to remain undefeated against their Western Conference foes since the appointment of head coach Steve Cherundolo to begin the 2022 season.
The Black and Gold will remain in Los Angeles for their semifinal match on Wednesday, August 21st but must await the result between Club América and Colorado Rapids later tonight to determine whether they will host the Rapids or head to Dignity Health Sports Park for a meeting with Las Águiles.
