SOUNDERS 0, LAFC 3: Denís Bouanga got behind the Sounders’ defense on a goal kick, outraced a trio of defenders and scored to give LAFC a massive lead early in the second half.

The greatest attacking duo in Leagues Cup? It might just be Denis Bouanga and his goalie, Hugo Lloris 🤯

Their second goal combination of the tournament has @LAFC on the brink of the Semifinals! pic.twitter.com/QzhEqObPgb
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 18, 2024

SOUNDERS 0, LAFC 2: Kei Kamara scored a scissor kick volley off a corner kick that bounced around the box.

KEI KAMARA ON THE VOLLEY 🤩

It's been a dream first half for @LAFC! #LeaguesCup2024 pic.twitter.com/T2RPFtYURw
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 18, 2024

SOUNDERS 0, LAFC 1: A miscommunication between Cristian and Alex Roldan allowed Ryan Hollingshead to get a free shot in the box that he put past Stefan Frei.

It's an early lead for @LAFC!!

A spectacular run from Ryan Hollingshead ends with the ball in the back of the net 🤩#LeaguesCup2024 pic.twitter.com/7PEu9cR3oG
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 18, 2024

LINEUPS: Stefan Frei returns to goal, the first time he’s played since the last time the Sounders played LAFC on July 27. Otherwise, it’s the same lineup the Sounders have used in each of their previous two games.

The Seattle Sounders host LAFC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals tonight. It will be the second of three meetings across three competitions over the course of about five weeks. LAFC won the first of those matches in league play on July 20, a 3-0 result that was fueled by a Denís Bouanga brace. They will next meet in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Aug. 27.

LAFC come into this match dominating the matchup over the past several years. The Sounders’ last win over LAFC was on May 16, 2021. LAFC have gone 6-0-2 in their last eight meetings with Seattle, having outscored the Sounders 13-3.

Both teams come into this match in exceptional form. LAFC are 16-1-3 over their past 20 matches across all competitions, while the Sounders are 10-2-1 over their past 13.

The Sounders have mostly built that record at home, where they’ll be playing their sixth straight at Lumen Field. During this 13-game run of success, they’ve played 10 of those matches at home and gone 8-2-0 in those matches.

Notes

Pedro de la Vega (groin) and Raúl Ruidíaz (knee) should both be available off the bench for the Sounders.
Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer was noncommittal about who would start in goal. He said Stefan Frei remains his No. 1, but Andrew Thomas started the four previous Leagues Cup games.
The winner of this game will be guaranteed at least two more matches in Leagues Cup. They’ll face the winner of Club America-Colorado Rapids in the semifinal and then would get one more match in either the final or third-place match.
If the Sounders win, they’d either travel to play Club America or host the Rapids in the semifinals.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast, but are not expected start until after the game ends. Rain is likely during the game.