Seattle sounders x lafc

Having won their first six matches this season, the Sounders went 2-0 up on LAFC on Sunday night at Lumen Field after finding another gear in the second half. Arreaga opened the scoring in the 57th minute, flicking on a near-post header to the back post from Plata for his first MLS goal. A lofted ball from Alex Roldan to Brad Smith led to a 2-0 lead in the 73rd minute. Roldan began the move in midfield, and then the wingback set up Smith's third goal of the season on the left side. Smith missed a golden scoring opportunity late in the first half and the Western Conference rivals were locked in a deadlock. Roldan would later serve in a cross which found Smith who took aim, but his shot sailed wide of Pablo Sisniega. 

LAFC's 2019 Landon Donovan MLS MVP Carlos Vela returned from injury in the 70th minute to fill in for Jose Cifuentes. He had been sidelined since suffering an injury against Austin FC in Week 1. Due to the injury to Stefan Frei midweek against San Jose, Seattle turned to Stefan Cleveland for his first start since joining the team. Cleveland recorded a shutout, making three saves.

[Photos by ICONIC photographer Alejandro Sanchez]