Match Recap LAFC vs Seattle Sounders 2024 MLS CUP Western Conference Semifinals

LAFCMLSSeattle SoundersMLS CUP PLAYOFFS 2024

Dec 2

LAFC hosted the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference Semifinals. LAFC was the favorite going into this match with the club finishing on top of the western standings and most recently winning the U.S Open Cup.

LAFC played a thrilling 3 game series with Vancouver Whitecaps. LAFC is no surprise in playoffs, making it in the past three, winning supporter shield in 2022 and MLS Cup in 2022.

The team that won that Supporter Shield and MLS Cup in 2022 are a completely different team from the team in 2024. Their legend player Carlos Vela was not part of the squad for most of the season and only recently resigned only to play very few minutes and absent versus Seattle in the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals.

Olivier Giroud probably isn’t the signing LAFC hoped for and fans have been upset with his performance. Overall LAFC was dangerous all season and was a favorite to win the whole thing.

**Olivier Giroud and Denis Bouanga in LAFC’s starting Xl vs Seattle** (JHVIZUALZ)

Seeing Seattle win was a huge upset for many but also showed LAFC is missing those pieces that once made them an unstoppable team. Going into the playoffs, the question was already being asked if LAFC was back, especially after losing so many finals in their recent addition to the league. It seemed like winning the U.S Open Cup was a step in the right direction.

Maybe it was a breaking point for LAFC after playing so many games this season, having international break for many players and a new playoff format. LAFC went into this match with a record of 8Wins- 2 Draws- 0 Loss. LAFC were unbeaten versus Seattle in the last 10 matches.

You can see why it was such a huge upset for the league, almost as huge as Miami and Columbus losing.

Seattle also played a series of 3 versus Houston Dynamo and was missing some key players (Nouhou, Rothrock, Bell). Luckily for Seattle, they had key players Jordan Morris & Albert Rusnák returning to the pitch from injury. Seattle came into the game with 5w- 4 Draw -0 L, and managed to defeat LAFC in a 2-1 stunner.

LAFC was the most dangerous team with multiple attempts saved by Seattle Goalkeeper Stefan Frei. LAFC scored in the 50th Minute by Hollingshead giving LAFC the temporary lead. Both teams had their moments with Seattle getting on the scoreboard 9 minutes later after an own goal by LAFC Defender Maxine Chanot.

**LAFC Defender Maxine Chanot** (JHVIZUALZ)

Jordan Morris scored the game winning goal in the 109th minute of extra time. Seattles resilience helped them move on to face LA Galaxy in the Western Conference Finals.