Everything you need to know about Sounders-Galaxy

The Seattle Sounders will face the LA Galaxy for the third time in five weeks, after having won the first two games by an aggregate score of 6-0. Those games were in Southern California and against an ostensibly first-choice Galaxy, while this one will be in Seattle against a very short-handed version of the Wooden Spoon "leaders."

Here’s what you need to know:

Injury news

Sounders

OUT: Paul Arriola - Knee; Stuart Hawkins - Quad; Ryan Kent - Hamstring

QUESTIONABLE: Pedro de la Vega - Knee; Jordan Morris - Shoulder; João Paulo - Knee

Galaxy

OUT: Julian Aude - Ankle; Emiro Garces - Foot; Matheus Nascimento - Lower Body; Gabriel Pec - Suspended; Riqui Puig - Knee; Marco Reus - Lower Body; Lucas Sanabria - Foot

QUESTIONABLE: Christian Ramirez - Lower Body; Zanka - Lower Body

Opposition players to watch

Diego Fagundez: With several key veterans either nursing injuries or out with suspension, Fagundez will be relied upon for leadership if nothing else. Although he's played all over the field this year, he'll likely spell Marco Reus as a central playmaker.

Joseph Paintsil: It's been a tough sophomore campaign in MLS for Paintsil, but he's shown signs of rebound recently. He was among the leading scorers in Leagues Cup with four goals, giving him nine across all competitions this year and is still a danger down the wing.

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Stats to look smart

2.32 – The Sounders are 13-1-4 against North American competition at home this year, a mark of 2.32 ppg that would put it second-best among non-Covid seasons in their MLS history. Their goal difference of +25 in all their home games is five better than any previous season.

0 – At 0-9-6, the Galaxy are the only team in MLS who has not won a road game in league play. In fact, they're also the only MLS team without a road win in any competition, where they are 0-11-6.

Tactics to impress

The Sounders' post-Club World Cup run has been largely fueled by their ability to rotate their lineups freely with many backups emerging as difference makers, especially during the Leagues Cup. Schmetzer has indicated many of those backups are likely to get another run out in this game.
The Galaxy have not yet been officially eliminated from playoffs, but they literally can't afford to drop anymore points. Expect Greg Vanney to start looking ahead to next season with a lot of younger players in the lineup.