Remember, home teams won 49% of their games in 2022 and 48% in 2021. That didn’t last long, and at +115 the line is probably about right. The value opportunity on the moneyline came early, when the Sounders opened as slight underdogs in the neighborhood of +160. And Cherundolo is still riding with veteran MLS backup John McCarthy in goal while Maxime Crepeau recovers from a broken leg sustained in last year’s MLS Cup final. Winter center back signing Aaron Long looked a bit rough in his first start on Wednesday. That was a pattern in 2022 and it continues in 2023, when they’ve kept two clean sheets in all competitions but also conceded twice in their other two games. The Black & Gold are capable of dominant defensive performances, but they don’t come consistently. If LAFC have concerns, they are defensive.
FOOTBALL MANAGER 2022 MLS FULL
Vela probably won’t after going the full 90 in a 2-1 defeat that was still enough to see LAFC through to the quarters 4-2 on aggregate. He also scored twice in last Sunday’s 4-0 victory over New England Revolution.īouanga also was rested for the first half of LAFC’s second leg against Alajuelense on Wednesday, meaning he’s likely to get the starting nod in Seattle. That includes a hat trick in a 3-0 win over LD Alajuelense in the first leg of their CCL first-round series. Then, he scored twice in a conference semifinal victory over the LA Galaxy.įast forward to 2023, and Bouanga has five goals so far in all competitions.
It began when he scored the Shield-clinching goal last year in a 2-1 victory at the Portland Timbers. When he finally did, he became LAFC’s most important attacker. If that role belongs to anyone now, it’s Gabon international Denis Bouanga, who joined LAFC last summer but took a while to find his footing. This is not your slightly older brother’s LAFC squad.Ĭarlos Vela is still an important part of manager Steve Cherundolo’s vision, but he is no longer the focal point. Morris is well on his way to one after scoring an MLS-leading three goals to open the campaign. The Sounders are one of the more goal-diverse teams in MLS over the years, with Jordan Morris, Nicolas Lodeiro and Cristian Roldan all capable of double-digit seasons. Fredy Montero is a third veteran option in the role, and could start Saturday if Ruidiaz doesn’t. But he’s played 43 minutes while working back from his own health issues. All things equal, Raul Ruidiaz probably tops on the striking depth chart. He leads all of MLS with 3.1 xG through two appearances.Įven when healthy, he’s only being asked to share the burden. The Brazilian is currently out with a hamstring strain, but he is already one of a crowded field of MLS players with two goals. He suffered an ACL tear in the 2022 CCL final.Īs for offseason additions, the Sounders opted for quality over quantity by bringing in veteran striker Heber from New York City FC. The biggest boost is the return to fitness of Brazilian midfielder Joao Paulo, a 2021 MLS MVP finalist. As a result, they found themselves on the outside of the playoff picture for the first time since joining MLS in 2009.īut for manager Brian Schmetzer’s squad, that meant his side improved from within to begin 2023 before any winter transfer business. The Sounders paid theirs in the latter portion of 2022 with several key injuries. Seattle Sounders Have Attacking Fire PowerĪ deep CCL run typically takes a toll on MLS sides.
So, how should you bet this one? Let’s take a deeper dive. LAFC are perfect through two league games while also balancing CCL commitments. Seattle took their first loss last week at FC Cincinnati - a team that could be the Philadelphia Union’s top challenger in the East. And last year they became the first MLS team to win the CCL.īoth also sit near the top of the Western Conference table right now. Seattle are two-time defending MLS Cup Champions and have reached four finals since 2016. LAFC won the domestic double in MLS Cup and the Supporters’ Shield last year, and they won the Shield in 2019 and reached the Concacaf Champions League (CCL) final in 2020. These are easily the two best West sides in recent years. We’re seven months from the MLS Cup Playoffs, but on Saturday the week four slate kicks off with a potential Western Conference preview when LAFC visit the Seattle Sounders.
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