If there's such a thing as the perfect match, LAFC might have achieved it last time out against the Seattle Sounders.
The 4-1 win at Banc of California Stadium last Sunday featured a dominant Black & Gold side that executed ideas going forward and was energetic and quick to recover possession when it was lost. And despite Seattle nearly finding a way back into the match with a Harry Shipp goal just after the halftime interval, LAFC put its foot back on the pedal to finish off the Sounders by the time Christian Ramirez finished off LAFC's fourth goal in the 61st minute.
The score aside, deeming it the perfect match would be sheer hyperbole. As Bob Bradley would say, there's always something that can be improved on. So while the opponent this Sunday isn't unique, the challenges that face his team in the second of a back-to-back series with the Seattle Sounders have to be contended with.
Here are the Toyota Keys to the Match for LAFC's visit to Seattle to take on the Sounders:
Meet The Occasion
Losing isn't fun. Especially, when it's your first loss of the season.
LAFC found that out against Vancouver and then went out and dominated Seattle 4-1 at Banc of California Stadium. That loss was the first for Brian Schmetzer's team in 2019 and one they surely haven't forgotten in just a week's time.
Returning to CenturyLink Field to host LAFC, the Sounders and their supporters will be buzzing from the opening whistle. LAFC will have to meet and exceed that intensity to secure three points this time around.
Clean In Possession
The Sounders have been struck with the injury bug as of late but Brian Schmetzer still has weapons at his disposal.
Playing at home, you'd expect Seattle to press LAFC and look for confrontation high up the pitch. LAFC will need to be secure in its buildups from the back and midfielders will need to find time and space to connect passes. One bad touch or wayward pass could mean the likes of Nico Lodeiro and Jordan Morris bearing down on goal with a short field ahead of them.
LAFC can't afford to be nonchalant in their half of the field. Don't gift the Sounders odd-man opportunities with poor passing and a lack of focus.
Take The Crowd Out Of It
CenturyLink Field hasn't been hospitable to opposing teams since the Sounders joined MLS in 2009.
Between the turf and the supporters, the Sounders have enjoyed a formidable home-field advantage. This season, they are unbeaten at home with four wins and a draw.
The best way to quiet the hostile support in Seattle is by affecting the scoreline. Away to D.C. United, LAFC scored three times in the first half to all but neutralize the home crowd. The Black & Gold need to keep their cool in front of goal in Seattle. Finishing off opportunities will have a dual effect on the outcome and the crowd's enthusiasm for the match.
