Xavier Arreaga and Brad Smith netted in the second half at Lumen Field to see Seattle Sounders beat LAFC 2-0 on Sunday night to stay top of MLS Western Conference.
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Story of the match
After a first half that saw very little between the two teams, it was Seattle who almost went in front. Good one touch passing saw Raúl Ruidiaz hold the ball up superbly before sliding in Cristian Roldan down the right hand side. He crossed for Smith, who somehow managed to put his shot wide of the target with the goal at his mercy.
Stefan Cleveland - deputising for the injured Stefan Frei - had to be at his best earlier on in the half, saving well as LAFC got the ball in behind the defence.
The second half saw much more action, with LAFC wanting a red card for Yeimar Gomez Andrade after an apparent elbow on Eduard Atuesta. The referee felt a yellow was sufficient and Seattle managed to avoid going down to ten men.
Just before the hour mark, Arreaga put the Sounders in front. He rose highest to head in a corner and give the Sounders the impetus to get the win.
On 73 minutes, it was game over. Great play in his own half from Alex Roldan sought out Ruidiaz, and when the ball eventually went back to Roldan he crossed inch perfect for Brad Smith to power his header home and continue Seattle’s excellent run.
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Takeaways from the match
After losing the first three meetings against LAFC, the Sounders have lost only two of the last eight meetings. The Rave Green drew their previous MLS regular season match 1-1 in Round Two.
The Sounders have 16 points from their first six matches for the second time in the last three seasons. They’re the only team in the last 20 seasons to have at least 13 points after five games more than once.
LAFC have collected just five points in 10 away matches since the start of last season. Only FC Cincinnati has a worse record.