In Friday night's standalone window MLS fans will be treated to one of Week 12's higher-profile matchups. Here's what you should know before these Western Conference powers square off:
Seattle Sounders vs. LAFC
10:00 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US, on DAZN in Canada (Local TV)
It's the third meeting, and potentially the rubber match, of the 2020 series between the reigning Supporters' Shield winners and MLS Cup champions when LAFC again visit the Seattle Sounders on Friday night.
Believe it or not, LAFC will be looking for their first consecutive league wins of 2020 when they visit CenturyLink Field, the site of their first-ever MLS game and victory back in 2018. Meanwhile, Seattle have basked in their historic 7-1 demolition of the San Jose Earthquakes last Thursday, a result that briefly took them atop the Western Conference table. They could climb into first again with another victory, at least until Sporting Kansas City play Saturday afternoon against FC Dallas (3:30 pm ET | Univision, TUDN; Twitter in US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada).
LAFC won the teams' first meeting of the year, a 4-1 triumph in the MLS is Back Tournament Round of 16. Seattle then answered with a 3-1 home win in Phase 1 of league play, continuing their back-and-forth after the Sounders won last year's Western Conference final. And since 2019, the teams have combined for 20 goals in five matches across all competitions.
Seattle recently boosted their defense, signing Australian left back Brad Smith on a permanent deal. Part of last year's MLS Cup-winning Seattle squad, Smith was a free agent after his contract expired with Bournemouth following their relegation from the Premier League in 2019-20. A proven threat in MLS, Smith is likely to compete with Nouhou Tolo and the versatile Joevin Jones for playing time.
From an LAFC perspective, it's likely too early to see Carlos Vela back in the Black & Gold. The reigning Landon Donovan MLS MVP is doing fitness work, though head coach Bob Bradley said he's still "weeks away" as he recovers from a Grade 2 MCL sprain. The good news, though, is midfielder Eduard Atuesta returned to action last weekend after his own prolonged injury absence.
