MLS powers LAFC and the Seattle Sounders meet for for the fourth time this season when they meet in the knockout semifinals of the US Open Cup on Wednesday.

The winner of this match will host the final on September 25 against Sporting Kansas City, who beat Indy Eleven in the other semi-final. In addition to the trophy, there is $300,000 in prize money and a place in next year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup at stake.

There are a lot of storylines in this game. LAFC suffered a heartbreaking 3-1 defeat in the Leagues Cup final on Sunday against the Columbus Crew, fourth cup final in the last 14 months. LAFC has never won the Open Cupwhile the Sounders are only one Open Cup trophy away from and sets the all-time record for tournament titles.

​​​​​In addition LAFC has won all three previous games against Seattle in 2024, including the last two with 3-0 scores (July 20 and August 17). And LAFC has 7 wins, 0 losses and 2 draws in the last nine games against Seattle, with their last loss coming in May 2021. But after an inconsistent start to 2024, the Sounders have turned it around recently and 11S-3N-1D in all competitions since June 15. However, two of those three defeats were against LAFC.

Wednesday’s game is another of the many knockout clashes these two teams have faced off in, which have only fueled this budding rivalry since LAFC’s formation in 2018. The knockout encounters have included three MLS playoff meetings (2019, 2020, 2023) and the most recent 2024 Leagues Cup quarterfinal, which LAFC won in Seattle.

How to watch Seattle Sounders vs LAFC

Fans can stream the USOC semifinals for free on Apple TV

And as if the stakes, the teams and the players involved were not enough to make this game worth watching, the unique backdrop of the stadium adds to the excitement.

The game will not be played at the Sounders’ regular MLS stadium, Lumen Field, which holds nearly 70,000 spectators. Instead, the Sounders will host the game in the intimate setting of Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Washington, where they have enjoyed much success in their Open Cup history. The stadium only holds 5,000 spectators, and they sit directly above the narrow artificial turf.

• Match: Seattle Sounders vs. LAFC (US Open Cup Semifinals)
• Date: Wednesday, August 28, 2024
• Time: 10:30 p.m. EDT (7:30 p.m. PDT)
• Stadium: Starfire Stadium (Tukwila, Washington)
• TV channels: None
• Live stream: Free stream on Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)

Even Sounders star Jordan Morris (video below) admits that players have to “accept the chaos that this field brings,” and he calls the surface at Starfire “worse grass” than the artificial turf at their home stadium, Lumen Field.

Seattle and LAFC were two of only eight MLS clubs who opted to participate in the 2024 US Open Cup, while nine other US clubs sent reserve teams. The other nine eligible clubs declined, including eight due to commitments in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Lineups for Seattle Sounders vs LAFC

Since both teams play three games in one week, there could be changes in the lineup

Sounders manager Brian Schmetzer has opted for consistency in selecting his starting lineup in recent games, and any changes would likely be related to load management for veterans like Joao Paulo And Yeimar with an away game in Minnesota last Saturday and a trip to Portland this Saturday. For this reason Daniel Leyva (for Joao Paulo) and Jon Bell (for Yeimar) could be candidates for the start.

The other decision to note is Schmetzer’s choice of goalkeeper. He stuck with a substitute Andrew Thomas in the entire Leagues Cup, and Thomas has also started every Open Cup game in 2024. Schmetzer hinted earlier this month that Thomas “may play in the Open Cup”. Starter Stefan Frei was in goal for last Saturday’s MLS game in Minnesota.

• Lineup prediction for the Seattle Sounders (4-2-3-1, from left to right): Andrew Thomas (TW) – Nouhou, Jackson Ragen, Yeimar, Alex Roldan – Joao Paulo, Obed Vargas – Paul Rothrock, Albert Rusnak, Cristian Roldan – Jordan Morris
• Bank (7 out of the following): Stefan Frei (GK), Jon Bell, Nathan, Josh Atencio, Danny Leyva, Reed Baker-Whiting, Dylan Teves, Pedro de la Vega, Léo Chú, Raul Ruidiaz, Danny Musovski

LAFC emerged from Sunday’s Leagues Cup final defeat with reported injuries to the striker Olivier Giroud and defender Jesus Murillo (knee). The Colombian central defender is listed as ineligible by the club. Eddie Segura will probably take his place, while striker Kei Kamara could step in for Giroud.

It will also be interesting to see if LAFC will take the risk of playing given the turf at Starfire Mateusz Bogusz And Cristian “Kike” Olivera who are the subject of transfer speculation to Celtic and Toluca respectively. The transfer window in Scotland closes on August 30th, while that in Mexico runs until September 14th.

Timothy Tillmanwho played 27 minutes against Columbus on Sunday, could also be a candidate for the starting lineup instead of Eduard Atuestawho didn’t play his best game against the Crew.

• LAFC lineup projection (3-4-3, left to right): Hugo Lloris (TW) – Aaron Long, Maxime Chanot, Eddie Segura – Ryan Hollingshead, Eduard Atuesta, Ilie Sanchez, Sergi Palencia – Denis Bouanga, Kei Kamara, Mateusz Bogusz
• Bank (7 out of the following): Thomas Hasal (TW), Omar Campos, Cristian Olivera, Timothy Tillman, Lewis O’Brien, Erik Dueñas, David Martinez, Nathan Ordaz, Olivier Giroud

Seattle Sounders vs. LAFC Prediction

This could be the moment the Sounders finally turn the tide against LAFC.

Judging by the recent head-to-head duels, LAFC would be the favorite in this semi-final. But the The playing field at Starfire Stadium will weigh heavily in this latest showdown. Previous results can be thrown overboard.

The pitch is tighter than usual, the grass is not known for its quality, the crowds are devoted to the players and the games are usually chaotic. Seattle is very familiar with all of these factors, while LAFC is experiencing them for the first time and the visitors will certainly need a period of adjustment. The ball will bounce differently in front of World Cup-winning goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Denis Bouanga will likely struggle to find space for his patented sprint runs.

While the field will mean even more adversity for a LAFC team that suffered a blow in a final just three days earlier, Starfire is home to Seattle, which, according to statistics from Sounder in the heartAre 19S-1N-3D at Starfire in their MLS history. Their only defeat came in a game in which the Sounders Due to three red cards, the team finished with eight menincluding one to Clint Dempsey, who promptly ripped the ball to shreds (video below). It’s hard to bet against Seattle here. Prediction: Seattle 2-1 LAFC

Seattle Sounders vs. LAFC – Odds and Betting Tips

The odds for the match predict that this Open Cup semi-final will be a neck-and-neck race

The betting market is not yet ready to pick between these two teams as both have the same odds to win after 90 minutes and advance to the final. A draw after 90 minutes would require extra time and penalties.

Below are the odds for the game courtesy of US-based sportsbooks, followed by the top three betting ideas.

• Seattle Sounders victory (90 minutes): +155
• Seattle Sounders reach the final: -110
• LAFC wins (90 minutes): +155
• LAFC reaches the final: -110
• Over/Under 2.5 goals: -118 / -106
• Both teams score a goal (Yes / No): -150 / +110
• Spread: Select them
• Goal line: 2.5 goals in total

Seattle Sounders advance (or “qualify”): -110

The home field advantage the Sounders enjoy at Starfire is real and in a head-to-head matchup like this, few would argue against favoring the home team, especially given the way both clubs are heading into this game.

Seattle Sounders Pick’Em (0 at Asian Spread): -108

It is the same logic as above, but the attractive thing about this game is that if the match ends in a draw after 90 minutesit is a draw and the stake is refunded. If LAFC wins in 90 minutes, the bet is lost.

Seattle Sounders Over 5.5 team corners (90 minutes): -110

Seattle scored six corners in the 90 minutes of regular time. both previous Open Cup games on the narrow pitch at Starfire. Overall, the Sounders have scored six or more corners this season in 23 of 34 games (or 67.6 percent of the time). And they reached that mark in two of the three games they played against LAFC this year.

Deciding to place an official bet on corners is always quite a challenge, but experience shows that this one has a good chance.