Last night’s game was a match between the two polar opposites of the Western Conference, and all that the MLS has to offer.
In Black and Gold, on one side of the Banc of California Stadium we had hosts LAFC. A club that it its second season already made records of 21-4-9, 72 points, tying the MLS record of 85 goals, finishing with an amazing 48-goal difference; and all that before mentioning winning the Supporters Shield, making it to the Conference Finals, and of course Carlos Vela’s personal MLS goal record.
In Green and Blue on the other side, visitors Seattle Sounders. An MLS powerhouse that’s been playing in the league since 2009, and have been in the playoffs every year since. The Sounders were the 2016 MLS Champions, 2018 Runners-Up, and in 2018 reached the Conference Semi-finals. Seattle also has it its trophy cabinet 1 Supporters’ Shield, 4 US Open Cups and 3 Western Conference Championships.
So, in the faceoff yesterday between #1 seed LAFC and #2 Seattle Sounders, it was the start-up versos the old-school. And when it came down to the wire, it seemed that the long-term experience won over the new potential.
It actually started with LAFC putting the first point on the board, after Carlos Vela was fouled just outside of the 18-yard box. Teammate Eduard Atueste took the free kick, and curled it beautifully past the Sounders wall and goalkeeper Stefan Frei (17’). Sadly for the hosts though, this is where their beauty of the 2019 season ended.
Raul Ruidiaz scored 6 goals and made 3 assists in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. The Peruvian joined Seattle Sounders midway in the 2018 season (Photo Credit: MLSSoccer).
Seattle’s Raul Ruidiaz found his way through five LAFC defenders and scored a powerful equalizer from the penalty arc (22’). Nicolas Lodeiro brought the guests up to a lead minutes later, finishing off counter attack launched seconds earlier by Ruidiaz (26’).
Rudiaz and Lodeiro kept the Sounders shining throughout the second half, when Lodeiro got hold of a wide clearance on the left, and found Ruidiaz who scored the insurance for Seattle Sounders, again from the center of the 18-yard line (64’).
LAFC did try to retaliate, and actually held the ball for most of the match in terms of possession. They also appealed for a few penalty kicks throughout the match, but ref Jair Marrufo awarded none.
Seattle Sounders will head to the 2019 Audi MLS Cup Final on November 11, to face the Eastern Conference Champion (TBD).
