With a late free kick deep in Seattle territory LAFC turned to former Defensive Player of the Year Laurent Ciman. The Belgian drove the ball hard, barely around the wall and straight into Stefan Frei. The sure handed Frei didn’t stop the shot. The ball bounced off him into the net. Los Angeles FC won their first match at home, 1-nil, off of a centerback’s free kick.

Schmetzer’s side dealt with numerous injuries — Marshall, Torres weren’t available, Kim was injured during the game — and failed to convert in the first half. Their first half dominance, despite those injuries was clear. Unfortunately for the Sounders they merely threatened. In the second half the pace favored LA, the chances were rare and a freak Frei error will be how the match is remembered.

After failing a prematch fitness test Roman Torres was declared unfit. In his place Kim Kee-Hee will get his first ever start with Seattle Sounders. The South Korean national team player moved to MLS in order to push for a trip to World Cup 2018 Russia. This will be his first significant run and opportunity to show Korea that he’s ready.

Tony Alfaro replaces Kim on the bench as the lineup change was made prior to being handed to the referee.

Kick is expected at 6:25 p.m.

Brian Schmetzer pulled out a surprise lineup with his 4th unique centerback pairing in early 2018. With Chad Marshall suffering from a neck strain Gustav Svensson drops into the CB role. His partner is Roman Torres. That means Seattle will start Cristian Roldan and Osvaldo Alonso (captain) as the defensive midfielders. Alex Roldan continues to earn starts over TAM signing Wolff Eikrem.

Los Angeles FC burst on the scene during their six-game road trip. They earned a 4-2-0 record playing an uptempo style that was light on defense, at least after their scrappy win over Seattle. Today they open their new palace to soccer, the Banc of California Stadium. Journeying south the Seattle Sounders will look to bRuin their party.

Both teams are undefeated in their last two matches. Seattle is just 1-0-1 whereas LAFC won both. Expect the first 15 minutes to be frenetic as the emotions are amplified by a boisterous home crowd full of pregame pomp. Brian Schmetzer’s side prefers to play at a high tempo early with their best attacking talent being more instinctive rather than cerebral. If they can score early, Seattle can then use their grinding possession to mute the fans, and the Angels attack.

Absences: Injury, international duty and suspension

Seattle: Jordan Morris and Harry Shipp are out. Waylon Francis, Kim Kee-Hee, Chad Marshall and Victor Rodriguez are listed as questionable.

Angels: Luis Lopez is out. No other players are listed on the injury report. Aaron Kovar is not allowed in the 18 for this match as he is on loan from the Sounders.

No players are suspended. No players are in danger of suspension due to yellow card accumulation.

Kevin Stott is the center referee. His video assistant is Alex Chilowicz.

nos audietis in somniis | nos audietis in alto

you will hear us in your sleep | you will hear us from the deep

this is our Sound

Keys to the Game:

• Dictate tempo, amplify the rapid start
• Find the space against the 3-4-3
• Shoot early and often
• Work together

How I'm watching

Outfit: 2018 authentic rave green

Scarf: You will hear us / nos audietis

Where: Berliner Pub, Renton, Ahead of the curve

North America will hear us

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How to Watch

Match date/time: 6:00 p.m. on April 29, 2018

Venue: Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, California

Online Streaming: Fox Sports Go, YouTube TV (Seattle and Spokane markets)

National TV: FS1 (Strong, Jones, Witham)

Local Radio: 950 KJR-AM Seattle (Johnson, Keller)

Local Spanish Radio: El Rey 1360 AM (Rodriguez, Maqueda, Patia)

International TV

Asia: beIN Sports (Asia) | Australia: beIN Sports (Australia) | Brazil: Globosat | China: China Sports Media | Latin America: FOX Latin America | Middle East & North Africa: Abu Dhabi Sports | Singapore: Starhub | Taiwan: Sportcast

Lineups

Sounders

Highlights will be posted as the match progresses.

This is Seattle Sounders at/vs OPPONENT; watch with us