When the Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles FC last met, it was the semifinals of the Western Conference playoffs.

LAFC won that match 1-0, eliminating the host Sounders, as MLS Golden Boot Award winner Denis Bouanga scored the lone goal in the 30th minute.

The teams will square off again in the season opener Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.

“I think we had what we needed to beat them last year,” Sounders midfielder Josh Atencio said. “But we’ve made changes and we’ve gotten better since then so I think all the guys are prepared and I definitely think it’s a game we should win.”

The Sounders parted ways in the offseason with playmaking midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro, who helped lead them to four MLS Cup final appearances and a pair of titles as well as the CONCACAF Champions League crown.

Seattle picked up Pedro de la Vega, a 23-year-old Argentine youth international, and added MLS veteran Danny Musovski to provide depth behind forwards Jordan Morris and oft-injured Raul Ruidiaz.

The Sounders, who tied with Nashville by allowing a league-low 32 goals last season, could be without a pair of defenders Saturday as center back Yeimar Gomez Andrade was a late arrival to training camp and right back Alex Roldan has been nursing a hamstring injury.

LAFC, who came up short of the MLS Cup last season after claiming the title in 2022, lost some firepower in the offseason, as Kellyn Acosta, Diego Palacios, Giorgio Chiellini and goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau departed. In addition, high-scoring striker Carlos Vela remains without a contract as he contemplates his future.

Midfielder Eduard Atuesta returns to LAFC, and the club also added 18-year-old forward David Martinez and French international goalie Hugo Lloris.

As for hosting Seattle in the opener?

“They want to beat the team that beat them at home in the playoffs last year,” LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo added. “So I understand their motivation. My players will understand that as well and we will have answers.”

–Field Level Media