Sounders and LAFC battle to intense draw in early season showdown
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – In an intense heated battle under a surprisingly warm Seattle sky, the Sounders and visiting LAFC ultimately settled with a scoreless draw between themselves. The reigning MLS Cup champions and reigning Concacaf Champions League champions traded scoring chances against each other, but nothing was able to get through. Seattle keeper Stefan Frei in particular showed out for his club, making numerous saves throughout the 90 minutes to keep the zero on the scoreboard. Following the first two matches of the season, the Sounders have hit a wall with their offensive attack.
LAFC players argue with the referee, pleading their case (Photo by Mathew Bermudez)
Heated contest under a warm Seattle sky
These two clubs have had some incredible battles since LAFC began their playing days in 2018, highlighted by the 2019 Western Conference final where the Sounders marched into Los Angeles and bounced LAFC. Considering the somewhat short lifetime of the rivalry that’s been filled with memorable matches, the two clubs have some decent history with each other, and that showed in this match. As both clubs battled to try and get their shot past each goalkeeper, the players on both sides showed intensity in their effort. Whether that was Aaron Long of LAFC poking at a ball that had been secured by Sounders keeper Stefan Frei or Seattle players taking exception to their opponents potentially going down a big easy. There was a compete level in this matchup that represented traces of playoff futbol. While we’re a long way away from the postseason, this is a contest we may see when October comes around.
The match was a seesaw of opportunities on goal, as Seattle did have legitimate shots on net and got a little unlucky on those said chances. A bouncing ball that snaked through the LAFC defense by Albert Rusnak in the 22nd minute, a Raul Ruidiaz shot that clipped off goalkeeper John McCarthy in the 45th minute, a juicy ball that Ruidiaz just barely missed on a header in the 50th minute, and a ball just out of volley range in the box for Cristian Roldan in the 74th minute. Those four key chances for Seattle were just inches off the mark and putting the Sounders on the board for what could have been the deciding score.
Seattle and LAFC battled throughout with several near miss chances (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
Frei fights all day long
Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei, now in his 14th MLS season and at the age of 36, continues to play at a high level for Seattle. A career already laden with accolades and highlights as he climbs the records, Frei’s play in today’s match was a great example of how he remains at the top of his game despite his career being in a “later stage.” This match against LAFC was bookended with great saves by Frei, as the Switzerland born keeper had to make key stops in the fifth and 20th minutes while a kick save in the 92nd minute that rescued Seattle from a loss. When the Sounders are at their best, their backline playing well in front of Frei makes them an impenetrable fortress, but Frei himself represented that fortress today against a loaded LAFC attack.
In some of the scrappy moments where LAFC got a bit excited after play had been whistled dead, it was a positive sign to see the Sounders stick up for Frei and not allow any sort of extracurricular activity to take place. It’s always good to see this sort of support for a goalkeeper, and it displays a bit of Seattle’s chemistry from a group that’s largely been together for years, you’d just like to see the Sounders backline stay on their game enough so that Frei didn’t have to make these all-world saves.
“I always try to be an optimist and try to focus on the positive things, it’s good keeping a clean sheet against an opponent who’s been very good offensively and has scored an abundance in their few games played this year. I think for us, to stymie that offense is good and to be proud of. On the flip side, we’re at home and when there’s such a decent defensive performance, you need to somehow capitalize and get three points. We didn’t tonight, but three home games and no goals against is a good thing and something to build on.”
Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei played an expert match, here is his day through photos (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
Trying to do too much on the attack?
Seattle had numerous opportunities on goal in the game, including two big chances according to FOTMOB, but part of the Sounder's attacking problem was their own fault. Seattle had a handful of shots on goal where they were trying to do too much, which isn’t ideal when you consider the Sounders offensive struggles in their past two games. Seattle shouldn’t be attempting bicycle kicks, like Raul Ruidiaz attempted in the 28th minute. Another example comes in the 79th minute when Albert Rusnak went for a volley of a Jordan Morris pass that hung in the air, and Rusnak attempted to fire an immediate volley instead of taking time to settle and shoot considering the open space he had around him.
Mixed feelings following a draw against one of the better clubs in the league in recent years
For the first time in this 2023 campaign, I have totally neutral feelings on the result of a Sounders match. There were numerous positive takeaways following the wins against Colorado and Real Salt Lake, but mostly disappointing coming out of the FC Cincinnati loss. This draw to LAFC where Seattle was the better club on the stat sheet, and on home turf, could have easily been a victory. Considering the roster that LAFC has and their current run of form that dates to last season, settling for a scoreless tie to split the points isn’t a bad thing. Disappointing, sure, because of the points left on the table and how close you came to finding the back of the net, but this result is not a failure.
“Little bit of a mixed bag there. We gave up some chances at the end... they had a couple clear chances because we were stretched trying to find a goal at the other end of the field, I wasn’t real pleased about that. I was pleased that we’ve only taken one goal against in four league matches, so that’s okay and that’s a good thing. If we defend well, we’ll collect points along the way... Did we worry too much about the referee, something that’s not in our control, did that get us fired up, why doesn’t our soccer get us fired up?”
Sounders defender Nouhou played a big part in keeping LAFC off the board (Photo by Mathew Bermudez)
Quick notes
At the time of writing, Sounders FC moves to third in the MLS Western Conference, level with LAFC on seven points, but trailing today’s opponent on goals scored (seven to six).
Seattle’s home record against LAFC moves to 4-1-3 following today’s result in all competitions. Overall, Sounders FC is now a combined 5-6-4 against the Southern California side, including postseason play.
At Lumen Field in 2023, the Rave Green move to 2-0-1 through their first three matches on home turf.
Goalkeeper Stefan Frei recorded his third shutout of the season. With 94 career clean sheets, Frei ranks third all-time in MLS behind Nick Rimando (154) and Kevin Hartman (112).
Having conceded just one goal through the first four matches of the season, Seattle ties the 2009 Sounders FC team with the fewest goals allowed to open a season through four MLS games.
Forward Raúl Ruidíaz made his first start of the 2023 season on Saturday afternoon. The Peruvian made his 2023 debut as an 81st-minute substitute in a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on March 4, marking his return from a right hamstring strain that forced him to miss the club’s opening MLS match vs. Colorado.
Ruidíaz also notched his 100th MLS regular-season appearance for Seattle this afternoon. Since joining the club in the summer transfer window of 2018, Ruidíaz has logged 89 regular season starts to accompany 59 goals and 11 assists in that span.
Making a substitute appearance in the 55th minute of play for injured teammate Jackson Ragen, center back Xavier Arreaga made his 100th career appearance for the Rave Green across all competitions (82nd appearance in MLS regular season play).
Midfielder Obed Vargas made his 2023 debut with a substitute appearance in the 63rd minute for João Paulo. Vargas has missed time since last summer due to a stress fracture in his lower back. He last played on June 18, 2022, vs. LAFC.
What’s next?
Following this draw with LAFC, the Sounders will head on the road for a two-game stretch that begins with a battle against Sporting Kansas City. A rival in recent years thanks to the actions of goalkeeper Tim Melia, Sporting will host Seattle on Saturday, March 25th with a kickoff time of 5:30PM PST. The Sounders will look to simplify their offensive approach against a winless Kansas City club that hasn’t found the back of the net yet but has only allowed one goal this year. Following six goals over their first two matches, Seattle must find their attack again unless they are okay with their play replicating last season’s struggles.
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