The Seattle Sounders traveled south to face Los Angeles FC at BMO Stadium on Sunday Night Soccer. Despite a strong defensive shift from the Rave Green, a late lapse resulted in a goal conceded and dropping all three points. The Sounders have lost their last two matches heading into the World Cup break.
The match started with an early chance for the Sounders. Straight from the opening whistle the pressure was on the LAFC backline. Albert Rusnak had a chance in the first 60 seconds, though he could not hit the target.
Though the opening few minutes favored the visitors, LAFC began to find their footing and take control of the match. A couple of chances for Heung-Min Son and Denis Bouanga never threatened Andrew Thomas’ goal, but the warning signs were shown.
LAFC dominated the opening half an hour, but the clearest chance came for Jordan Morris. A through ball slid between the defenders to the foot of Morris who was through on goal. Morris did well to get the shot off, but was denied by an outstretched arm from LAFC keeper Thomas Hasal.
Chances continued for LAFC. Son and Bouanga both fired off shots that went wide or high of Thomas in goal. Son is still searching for his first MLS goal of 2026 after scoring nine in 10 games last season after joining LAFC.
(Photo Credit: Sounders FC Communications)
The first half whistle blew with not much to mention. A relatively mild first half for a meeting between some of MLS’ top clubs. LAFC was on the front foot the majority of the half, out-shooting the Sounders 12-3, though both sides had just one shot on target apiece.
The second half started very similarly to the first, the Sounders came out swinging. Jordan Morris got in behind again but with a tight angle could only force a save from the keeper. The ball fell to Rusnak who was unable to get a shot off before his cross was intercepted.
Once again it was LAFC with the majority of the ball, though the Sounders were once again the side with the better chance. Cristian Roldan took a shot from outside the box in the 61st minute, forcing another save from Hasal.
LAFC fired some warning shots, yet still could not force a save off of Andrew Thomas. Then it was Snyder Brunell in the 68th with another speculative effort from outside the box that forced a comfortable save for Hasal.
In the 76th minute, the Sounders had their closest chance of the night. Jordan Morris, who moved to the left wing, go around his defender and dribbled into the box before cutting the ball across to Danny Musovski. Musovski scuffed the shot but it went up and over the keeper and was only denied by the post.
(Photo Credit: Sounders FC Communications)
LAFC instantly responded to the Sounders’ chances. In the 77th minute it was Heung-Min Son curling an effort low to the far post. Andrew Thomas made the save at full stretch to deny the South Korean his first MLS goal of the year.
It was a breakthrough in the 86th minute. Tyler Boyd was given the space to make a cross into the box, which was met by Timothy Tillman who beat Kossa-Rienzi to the far post. It was a poor defensive moment in an otherwise well-defended game. LAFC would get the late lead in a pivotal match before the World Cup break.
Only three minutes were added on after 90 minutes were played. There were close calls for the Sounders off of corners but ultimately they were unable to find an equalizer. The Sounders fell to LAFC on the road once again.
MLS will now take a nearly two-month long break as the FIFA World Cup takes place. The Sounders will return to play on July 17th with a home match against Portland.
(Cover Photo Credit: Sounders FC Communications)
Sounders Starting XI:
(4-2-3-1)
Thomas
Kossa-Rienzi
Kim
Ragen
Nouhou
Dotson
C. Roldan ©
Rusnak
Ferreira
Rothrock
Morris
Substitutions:
(63’)
ON: Lopez – OFF: Kim
ON: Brunell – OFF: Dotson
(69’)
ON: Musovski – OFF: Rothrock
(90’)
ON: De Rosario – OFF: Ferreira
ON: Kingston – OFF: Kossa-Rienzi
Scoring Summary:
LAFC 1-0 SEA – 86’ Timothy Tillman (Assist: Tyler Boyd)
