Sunday’s match between LAFC and the Seattle Sounders is the first of two consecutive meetings of the top teams in the Western Conference. A new wrinkle to the MLS schedule, this is one of two such back-to-backs for LAFC in 2019.
Following LAFC’s loss in midweek and the Houston Dynamo’s defeat on Friday, Seattle enters the weekend of MLS play as the remaining unbeaten side this season. Brian Schmetzer has his team flying high right out the gates following a season in which the Sounders struggled until the middle of summer.
Those struggles didn’t hamper that Sounders’ playoff chances in 2018, as they finished second in the West. Seattle’s bright start is further buoyed by the return of Jordan Morris. The speedy winger missed last season with an ACL injury but hasn’t missed a beat in his return.
It’s a big test at home for LAFC, let’s take a look at the Toyota Keys to the Match for Sunday:
Big Response
Finishing an entire MLS season unbeaten isn’t expected, nor is it reasonable. Between the travel, international call-ups, seasonal changes, and midweek matches, one way or the other teams are bound to drop a match are two.
After starting the season unbeaten through seven matches, LAFC suffered its first setback of 2019 in midweek against Vancouver. The most important match of your season is always immediately following a defeat. If coming off a loss wasn’t enough, the challenge of returning home to face the league’s only remaining unbeaten side should be ample motivation.
LAFC needs to arrive at Banc of California Stadium focused on getting back to the ways of playing that carried them to the top of the Western Conference.
Track Lodeiro
Seattle’s Nico Lodeiro has been one of the best playmakers in MLS since his arrival.
So much of what Seattle does in the final third involves Lodeiro. He has a free role to find the ball and combine with teammates. And because he can float around the pitch, he’s hard to track with just one player.
LAFC will need to be aware of Lodeiro’s free role and work to pass off the Uruguayan when he enters different areas of the pitch. Not tracking Lodeiro is asking for trouble.
Seize Control Of The Midfield
Each week, LAFC’s midfield trio has a difficult task. The Black & Gold’s ability to control matches all centers around that trio.
In order for LAFC’s attack to function properly, the midfield needs to control the ball in advantageous areas and probe Seattle to allow the likes of Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela the space to create.
Defensively, it is the reactions of the midfield when the ball turns over that allows LAFC to either recover possession quickly and go back on the offensive or delay teams in transition to allow LAFC to reset its shape.
Both duties are paramount to LAFC’s success. Unlike Vancouver, Seattle is going to try to play and stretch out LAFC. It will be up to the midfield to control the match at times either on the ball or through their reactions off of it.
