LOS ANGELES GALAXY v. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Green. Sounders FC make a trip down to the Southland, to the Avalon Boulevard football ground, to play LA Galaxy, as we return to league play for a bit.

What: MLS league match, Los Angeles Galaxy v. Seattle Sounders FC.

Where: Avalon Boulevard, Carson, California.

When: 7:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Sunday 10 August 2025 CE.

At Stake: Not a great deal. I’ve done the maths and there’s no way we’re winning the league, so earning points in the league only applies to seeding for MLS Cup and whether or not we qualify for CONCACAF Champions Cup for next season. Last time round for CCC you had to either win MLS Cup or Leagues Cup to get a bye to the Round of 16. First-round berths are also available for finshing places 1st-4th in the MLS league Standings, runner-up or 3rd place in Leagues Cup, or Win the US Open Cup. Who knows if that’ll be the same format for 2026 CCC, they do love to fuck about with it and re-name it often enough, isn’t it? Top seven places in the West get you into the first-round of MLS Cup, 8th or 9th in the West gets you a one-match attempt to play into the first round. Sounders are currently 12th place in the league on 38 points, 12 points adrift of leaders Philadelphia. Sounders can climb into the top 10 with a victory depending on Charlotte dropping points at Cincinnati.

Where to Watch: MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, Fox Sports 1, and Fox Deportes.

Where to Listen: KJR 93.3 FM and El Rey 1360 AM.

Back to league football then. It’s always a tough match at Avalon Boulevard. If you have the means and time, you should link up with ours down in Los Angeles. Failing that, the rest of us are here in The Evergreen. You know the drill. Houses, flats, pints, cats, boats, ships, pie, chips. Yell your arses off on the settee, barstool, chair, plastic milk crate, whatever ye got to sit on. Or stand, that’s good as well. It would be a good thing to beat these, especially after the way they put us out of MLS Cup at the Semi-Final stage. Of course the problem is that they’ve found a new vein of form same as us. That’s gonna make it tricky.

It’s MLS league football under the Sunday night lights at Avalon Boulevard. GO ON YOU SOUNDERS!!! GET IN!!!

Before kick-off, please join me in the auld toast: “TO THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS FOOTBALL CLUB…AND VICTORY!!!”

What would 80s Mullet-Schmetzer do?

The Good News

Sounders youngers put on a clinic against Tijuana in Leagues Cup action midweek. Vargas, Kossa-Rienzi, De Rosario, and Baker-Whiting all made significant contributions with steady reliability. De Rosario scored his first Leagues Cup goal. This adds to the goal he scored at Atlanta, his first senior league goal (in six appearances), eight league goals and two US Open Cup goals for the Sounders FC Reserves, for a total of 12 goals this season. So if the Gaffer is wise, he’ll keep playin’ the lads as we need them.

We’re scoring goals again, to the tune of 1.74 goals/match. To be fair, this number was goosed up a bit when we battered the Cruz Azul 7:0. This result was an outlier, it can’t be denied. If you take our last 10 matches, which takes us back to our 0:2 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain, drop the high result - the 7 against Cruz Azul, and then also drop the low result - the 0 against PSG, you’ve still got 18 goals in 8 matches. That generates a mean of 2.25 goals/match which is an even higher rate! Maths aside, we’re scoring goals again. That’s the key thing.

We don’t have to face Riqui Puig, as the Catalonian midfield star is currently hampered with a knee problem. Although it’s not good news that someone is hurt, we’ll take the break of not having to face his attacking skill in midfield at least this once.

The Bad News

Despite Galaxy being at the bottom of the MLS league table with a record of 3-7-14, this is going to be a problematic match for us. Why? Because they’re the current MLS Cup holders, narrowly crashed out of the CONCACAF Champion’s Cup being eliminated by UANL Tigres by only one goal (3:2 on aggregate) at the Quarter-Final stage, were unbeaten in phase one of Leagues Cup scoring more goals against Tijuana (5:2), and Santos Laguna (4:0) than we did, have beaten Salt Lake and Vancouver in the league which we haven’t yet managed to do this season, and have won roughly half their home matches (6-4-6) in all competitions. Galaxy’s haven’t been beaten since 16 July when they lost 1:2 to Austin, a stretch of 2-2-0 in their last four matches.

Galaxy feature balanced scoring from Reus (5 goals), Ramirez, Paintsil, Fagundez, and Pec (4 goals each) and the newboy Nascimento (3 goals) who is on loan from Botafogo. A team with a a balanced attack is harder to defend as they are better at creating spaces to exploit and can beat defences in multiple ways. Reus (8 assists) and Pec (5 assists) can also hurt you with a killer pass.

We’ve lost both Rusnak and Kent to hamstring issues. Although Kent’s injury is more severe, he will not require surgery. The severity of Rusnak’s injury was yet to be determined as his MRI results hadn’t come through. Neither are expected to be out for the season, nor are they expected in the team any time soon. This is a problem as Albert is one of our primary playmakers, scores goals, and also is the most likely to take penalty kicks. Kent enables us to rest other forwards when the schedule tightens up with no loss in quality. Mend soon, lads. We need you both.

Historically, it’s kind of a crapshoot when we play matches at Carson. Sounders all-time away record there in the league is 6-7-7. Then again, MLS is engineered for parity, so technically every match is a crapshoot. Sorry to have to play that broken record again.

The Side I Would Select

We’ve got three days between matches for a stretch. I’m going to lean towards the Gaffer’s likely selection, mostly.

GK     Thomas

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Kossa-Rienzi

LDM    Vargas

RDM   Cristian

LF     de la Vega

CAM   Ferreira

RF     Rothrock

CF     Musovski

The Side I Think The Gaffer Will Select

I’d be shocked to see anything less than his usual selection, allowing for injuries.

GK     Thomas

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB      Alex

LDM    Vargas

RDM   Cristian

LF     de la Vega

CAM   Ferreira

RF     Rothrock

CF     Musovski

Intangibles

Officiating.

Allen Chapman will be the Referee for Sunday night’s match.

LAG record with Chapman as Ref: 9-5-11

SEA record with Chapman as Ref: 13-5-7

Trap match.

Although LA are bottom of the MLS league table, they made it to the Quarter-Final stage in both the CONCACAF Champions Cup and Leagues Cup this season.

Organisational depth.

Sounders FC Reserves have a 1-0-2 record against LA Galaxy Reserves this season. What we can infer from this, is that Galaxy are getting some things right with their youngers down in Carson.

Managerial experience.

Brian Schmetzer’s overall experience as a manager is significantly greater than Greg Vanney’s. Vanney has managed 438 matches for a record of 185-104-149 for Toronto and LA Galaxy (as of 7 August 2025). Schmetzer’s experience stretches back to the USL iteration of the Sounders totalling at 611 matches for a record of 293-138-180 (as of 6 August 2025).

Away days.

No mean secret that Sounders are not nearly as good on the road as at hame.

Outspent again.

SEA 2025 disclosed transfer fees paid: €1.45M

LAG 2025 disclosed transfer fees paid: €5.42M

General notes on personnel

LA Galaxy transfers IN:

“Zanka” Jorgensen (Anderlecht) free

Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes) free

Yoshida - re-signed

Scott - re-signed

Zavaleta - re-signed

Wynder (Louisville City) €380,000

Sanabria (Nacional) €4.8M

Ramirez (Columbus Crew SC) €240,000

Nascimento (Botafogo) loan

LA Galaxy transfers OUT:

Caceres (Libertad) free

Brugman (Nashville SC) undisclosed

Neal (CF Montreal) €625,000

Delgado (Los Angeles FC) €385,000

Joveljic (Sporting Kansas City) €3.85M

Davis (MLS Pool) bought out

Bibout (Vasteras) €100,000

Essengue (Phoenix Rising) loan

Comparison against common opponents

LAG 0:2 SD

SD 2:1 LAG

SD 3:0 SEA

SEA 1:0 SD

(against SD: LAG 0-0-2 -3, SEA 1-0-1 -2)  edge SEA

VAN 2:1 LAG

LAG 3:0 VAN

VAN 3:0 SEA

(against VAN: LAG 1-0-1 +2, SEA 0-0-1 -3) decisive edge LAG

LAG 0:3 STL

STL 3:3 LAG

STL 1:0 SEA

SEA 4:1 STL

(against STL: LAG 0-1-1 -3, SEA 1-0-1 +2) decisive edge SEA

POR 1:1 LAG

LAG 2:4 POR
POR 1:1 SEA

(against POR: LAG 0-1-1 -2, SEA 0-1-0 0) marginal edge SEA

MIN 2:2 LAG

SEA 2:3 MIN

(against MIN: LAG 0-1-0 0, SEA 0-0-1 -1) marginal edge LAG

RSL 2:0 LAG

LAG 2:0 RSL

RSL 2:0 SEA

(against RSL: LAG 1-0-1 0, SEA 0-0-1 -2) decisive edge LAG

LAG 1:1 HOU

SEA 0:0 HOU

HOU 1:3 SEA

(against HOU: LAG 0-1-0 0, SEA 1-1-0 +2) edge SEA

ATX 1:0 LAG

LAG 1:2 ATX

SEA 2:0 ATX

(against ATX: LAG 0-0-2 -2, SEA 1-0-0 +2) decisive edge SEA

SKC 1:0 LAG

SKC 2:3 SEA

(against SKC: LAG 0-0-1 -1, SEA 1-0-0 +1) decisive edge SEA

LAG 2:2 LAFC

LAFC 3:3 LAG

SEA 5:2 LAFC

LAFC 4:0 SEA

(against LAFC: LAG 0-2-0 0, SEA 1-0-1 -1) marginal edge SEA

LAG 0:1 SJ

SJ 1:1 LAG

SJ 1:1 SEA

SEA 3:2 SJ

(against SJ: LAG 0-1-1 -1, SEA 1-1-0 +1) decisive edge SEA

COL 2:0 LAG

COL 1:1 SEA

SEA 3:3 COL

(against COL: LAG 0-0-1 -2, SEA 0-2-0 0) edge SEA

LAG 5:2 TIJ LC

SEA 2:1 TIJ LC

(against TIJ: LAG 1-0-0 +3, SEA 1-0-0 +1) marginal edge LAG

LAG 1:1 CAZ LC

SEA 7:0 CAZ LC

(against CAZ: LAG 0-1-0 0, SEA 1-0-0 +7) decisive edge SEA

LAG 4:0 CSL LC

SEA 2:1 CSL LC

(against CSL: LAG 1-0-0 +4, SEA 1-0-0 +1) edge LAG

Know Thine Enemy

Galaxy as they lined up in their 4:0 victory over Santos Laguna on 7 August at Avalon Boulevard.

GOALKEEPER

Novak Micovic, 23

Serbia

Notable Clubs: Cukaricki (22/0), IMT (11/0), Los Angeles Galaxy (17/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €400,000

Notes: Developed by Cukaricki. Won an MLS Cup with Los Angeles Galaxy.

DEFENCE

Julian Aude, 22

Argentina

Notable Clubs: Lanus (25/0), Los Angeles Galaxy (69/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €3M

Notes: Full name: Julian Ezequiel Aude Bernardi. Developed by CBP Nicolas Avellaneda and Lanus. Won an MLS Cup with Los Angeles Galaxy. Has played for Argentina at youth levels (5/0). Won a CONMEBOL U17 title with Argentina U17s.

Maya Yoshida, 36

Japan (126/12)

Notable Clubs: Nagoya Grampus (71/5), VVV Venlo (54/5), Southampton (154/6), Sampdoria (72/3), Schalke 04 (29/0), Los Angeles Galaxy (67/4)

Estimated Transfer Value: €200,000

Notes: Developed by Nagoya Grampus. Won an AFC Asian Cup with Japan. Named to AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament 2019. Won an MLS Cup with Los Angeles Galaxy.

Emiro Garces, 23

Colombia

Notable Clubs: Deportiva Pereira (53/1), Los Angeles Galaxy (29/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €700,000

Notes: Full name: Carlos Emiro Garces Torres. Won a Colombian league title with Deportivo Pereira. Won an MLS Cup with Los Angeles Galaxy.

Mauricio Cuevas, 22

United States

Notable Clubs: Los Angeles Galaxy (41/2)

Estimated Transfer Value: €350,000

Notes: Developed by Los Angeles Galaxy. Played for United States at youth levels (25/2). Won CONCACAF U-20 Championship with United States. Won an MLS Cup with Los Angeles Galaxy.

MIDFIELD

Diego Fagundez, 30

Uruguay

Notable Clubs: New England Revolution (261/53), Austin FC (89/15), Los Angeles Galaxy (68/9)

Estimated Transfer Value: €2M

Notes: Full name: Diego Santiago Fagundez Pepe. Developed by Leominster Youth Soccer, Greater Boston Bolts, and New England Revolution. Won an MLS Cup with Los Angeles Galaxy.

Edwin Cerrillo, 24

United States

Notable Clubs: FC Dallas (87/0), Los Angeles Galaxy (66/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €2.5M

Notes: Developed by FC Dallas. Won an MLS Cup with Los Angeles Galaxy.

Marco Reus, 36

Germany (48/15)

Notable Clubs: Rot Weiss Ahlen (43/5), Borussia Monchengladbach (97/36), Borussia Dortmund (294/120), Los Angeles Galaxy (24/6)

Estimated Transfer Value: €2M

Notes: Developed by Post SV Dortmund and Borussia Dortmund. Won two German Cups, and three German Supercups with Borussia Dortmund. Three times named German Player’s Union Bundesliga Player of the Season. Won Bundesliga Breakthrough of the Season. Bundesliga Top assist provider. Named six times to the Bundesliga Team of the Season. Twice named Footballer of the Year in Germany. Germany national Player of the Year.  UEFA Team of the Year. UEFA Champions League Team of the Season. Won an MLS Cup with Los Angeles Galaxy.

FORWARD

Joseph Paintsil, 27

Ghana (15/0)

Notable Clubs: Tema Youth (22/10), Ferencvaros (25/10), Genk (130/30), Ankaragucu (33/11), Los Angeles Galaxy (46/14)

Estimated Transfer Value: €8M

Notes: Developed by RB Ghana and Tema Youth. Won a Belgian league title and Belgian Super Cup with Genk. Won an MLS Cup with Los Angeles Galaxy.

Matheus Nascimento, 21

Brazil

Notable Clubs: Botafogo (84/9), Los Angeles Galaxy (17/3)

Estimated Transfer Value: €3M

Notes: Full name: Matheus Nascimento de Paula. Developed by Botafogo. Won a Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B, Copa Libertadores, and Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A with Botafogo. Won the Pan American Games with Brazil U-23s.

Gabriel Pec, 24

Brazil

Notable Clubs: Vasco da Gama (168/25), Los Angeles Galaxy (54/20)

Estimated Transfer Value: €10M

Notes: Full Name: Gabriel Fortes Chaves. Developed by Vasco da Gama. Won an MLS Cup with Los Angeles Galaxy. Named MLS Newcomer of the Year 2024.

Familiar Faces

Galaxy forward, Miguel Berry played for the Sounders U23s (9/2) in 2017.

Galaxy defender, Eriq Zavaleta played for the Sounders FC (5/0) from 2013-2014.

Squads

LA Galaxy from:

Micovic, Marcinkowski, Scott, McCarthy, Yamane, Aude, Yoshida, “Zanka” Jorgensen, Nelson, Zavaleta, Cuevas, Garces, Miller, Cerrillo, Fagundez, Sanabria, Parente, Reus, Lepley, Wynder, Nascimento, Pec, Ramirez, Ramos, Berry, Paintsil.

Sounders FC from:

Frei, Thomas, Baker, Baker-Whiting, Bell, Gomez Andrade, Hawkins, Kim, Kossa-Rienzi, Nouhou, Ragen, Alex, Sousa, Brunell, Leyva, Cristian, Vargas, de la Vega, De Rosario, Ferreira, Minoungou, Musovski, Rothrock.

Injury List

(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)

LA Galaxy -

OUT: Puig (knee).

MATCHDAY DECISION: Garces (leg).

Sounders FC -

Kent (hamstring), Rusnak (hamstring), Morris (shoulder), Joao Paulo (knee), Arriola (knee).

MATCHDAY DECISION: none.

Discipline

(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)

LA Galaxy: No players suspended. Cerrillo, Garces, Parente, and Pec are out next league match if booked.

Sounders FC: No players suspended.

Fun Fact

Sounders FC Reserves have a match on Sunday 10 August against LAFC2 at Starfire with stream scheduled for 8:00 p.m PDT. The lads have had their Manager sacked, and haven’t won since June, so if you have the time and means, try to get down to Tukwila to chuff them up a bit.