Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Green. Sounders fly to the Southland for a Saturday night skirmish at Avalon Boulevard against our close, personal friends LA Galaxy. Cue opening credits.
What: MLS League match, Los Angeles Galaxy v. Seattle Sounders FC.
Where: Avalon Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.
When: 7:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Saturday 12 September 2026 CE.
At Stake: Points in the league. All that’s left to play for is MLS Cup and pride. Sounders currently sit 24th in the MLS league table on 27 points, 26 points adrift of leaders Nashville. In the west regional qualifying table for MLS Cup we are three points adrift of San Diego (30 points) who hold the 9th and last qualifying berth. Also ahead of us are LA Galaxy, Minnesota, and Salt Lake all on 29 points.
Where to Watch: Apple TV.
Where to Listen: KJR 950 AM and El Rey 1360.
Ah, MLS. A league where making predictions based on any reasonable metric other than investment seems utterly futile. Well, that’s the bronco and, at the expense of my bollocks, I’ll have to try and ride it - hanging on for dear life astride a saddle studded with broken glass.
We’ve added a couple newboys this summer in Joveljic and Clark. They seem skilful enough to help our cause, so that’s a bonus. Subtracting from said bonus is the club’s recent form. Though form has somewhat improved from a club record eight-match losing streak, Sounders have managed only three draws. Does it inspire confidence? Not so much. Is it better than losing eight on the trot? So much better.
Galaxy have seen some of their better players flee from MLS. Pec to Cruzeiro for €10.5M, Cerillo to Club America for €3.5M, Nascimento returned to Botafogo as his loan spell came to an end, Cuevas to Santos Laguna for €(redacted), and Yamane returning to Japan and Urawa Red Diamonds for €(redacted). It seems like our mates to the south are fallin’ apart more than a bit, along with whatever credibility MLS may have built with players seemingly fleeing the league. There’s nothing more American than layoffs for a salary dump when sky-high expectations aren’t met.
Then again, in the harsh light of day, you see that Galaxy still have Aude, Yoshida, Furuhashi, Sanabria, Puig, “Chucky” Lozano, Reus, Thommy, Paintsil, and Joao Klauss. That’s more than enough skill to put a bit of worry into us as we try to fold our newboys into the mix at Longacres and attempt to return to winning ways.
This all begs the question: “Can Sounders take three points on the road in Los Angeles?” I confess that I have no idea. The teams seem to be equally struggling in the same bottom-third neighbourhood of the MLS league table, having difficulty scratching out goals, and attempting to re-structure themselves a bit. The squads for both clubs have roughly the same aggregate estimated transfer value. All of this tells me that this match is ripe for another drawn result. Loads of passing, little to no player movement, rare threats at goal, no attacking what space is available after passing for a one-two, etc. etc.
So with the reasonable metrics seemingly deadlocked, Sounders need to win across the board in the intangible areas. Can our away support chuff up the lads enough to get an away win, and our first victory in the league since May? You’d like to believe it’s possible. Maybe Joveljic hits five goals for the Full Mathis to get one over on his old mates. Maybe Andrew Thomas stands on his head saving everything in sight on his way to a clean sheet. The only thing I can confirm is that Sounders won’t be outworked. At least we’ve that to hang our hat on. Everything else is ‘x’.
The only thing we know for sure is, that in MLS league football, any result is possible for better or worse. So it’s time to galvanise our support, and see what we shall see. I honestly don’t know what else to recommend.
If you’re headed down to the Southland, link up with ours, pre-func like it’s goin’ outta style, make sure your scarves are tied proper, and make a racket such as will make local residents in the Dominguez Hills/Victoria area think that an earthquake has struck.
For those of us that remain here, in The Evergreen, it’s pubs and dwellings for stories and tellings. Houses and flats for pints and cats. Boats and ships for pie and chips. Time to eke out every last erg of psychic energy not required to support life itself to chuff up the lads.
Before kick-off, please join me in the auld toast: “TO THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS FOOTBALL CLUB…AND VICTORY!!!”
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With 12 matches remaining in the league, there is ample opportunity to qualify for MLS Cup.
Should we manage qualification, our recent form begs the question “What then?”
The Good News
We haven’t lost in three matches. That’s not nothin’.
Injured players are returning to fitness, namely Dotson, Morris, Arriola, and Cristian. Squad depth makes us better.
Even though we’ve been adrift for quite some time now, the defence has largely held. This is amended only by the notable exception of clunkers against Portland, Austin, and Toluca. For all the crap results, we’re still the 5th best defence in the league.
Galaxy struggle to score goals (1.26/match), play rather unremarkable football at home (5-5-5), and are bleeding goals at the back (1.52 goals conceded/match). If that’s not an invitation to smash and grab the three points, I don’t know what is.
There’s been a bit of an exodus from Avalon Boulevard of late. Gabriel Pec was sold to Brazilian club Cruzeiro, along with four other players of note leaving Los Angeles. Not having to defend the goal-threat (and play-making) of Pec makes our job just a bit easier.
The Bad News
Most metrics rate Sounders and Galaxy as about dead even. Of course it’s MLS so none of the statistics in the world matter really, what matters is form. And consistent form is eluding both squads of late. Like most matches in this league, it’s a crapshoot.
Danger men for Galaxy are as follows: Reus (5 goals, 8 assists) is dangerous with or without the ball and is a seasoned veteran of the German Bundesliga. Joao Klauss (5 goals) is a legitimate goal threat. Paintsil (5 goals, 5 assists) can also score a goal or turn provider.
It’s good to add a bit of firepower up front (Joveljic) and shore up the midfield a bit (Clark). We’re not dropping all the points, but the three draws in a row have hardly been convincing. We’re still losing ground.
Kyogo Furuhashi played for Celtic (116/53) last season in Scotland. Celtic won a tonne of silverware with him in the team. He’ll be extremely difficult to contain and is dangerous with or without the football.
The Side I Would Select
Kossa-Rienzi and Ragen are matchday decisions, but I wouldna push it. Rather have them back full than limping on in hopes of a three-point smash and grab in Los Angeles. Would move Alex back to his usual deployment at right-back. Hawkins and Lopez at the centre-halves over Sailor (lack of match sharpness) and Kim (age). I’d have Cristian and young Peter Kingston holding as Dotson (just getting over an injury) or Brunell (needs a bit more tooth) can spell them if needed. Rothrock in because he not only scores goals, but unselfishly provides them for his mates. Morris on the right because despite his advancing years and chronic injury troubles, has a bit of pace left at his disposal not to mention the utter strength of will to overcome serious injury more times than I care to remember. I like Clark at the #10. Albert’s had a lot of run this season so let’s see what the newboy can do if we run him out. I don’t know that we have a more reliable goal-scorer than Joveljic, so that sorts that.
GK Thomas
LB Nouhou
LCH Hawkins
RCH Lopez
RB Alex
LDM Kingston
RDM Cristian
LF Rothrock
CAM Clark
RF Morris
CF Joveljic
The Side I Think The Gaffer Will Select
The Gaffer prefers experience, so with Kossa-Rienzi hurt and no other understudy at right-back that I know of, Alex is the logical choice to play there. Also wouldna be in the least surprised if Schmetzer lines up Alex at right-centre-half. Nouhou has no understudy, so he’s playing unless he’s hurt, in which case I don’t know who would replace him. We had Baker-Whiting and Baker that could play in this role, but management sold Baker-Whiting to Nashville and loaned Baker to New England. I’d expect Kim at right-centre-half if Alex isn’t playing there. If Ragen passes a late fitness test, I’d expect to see him over Hawkins at left-centre-half, as Jackson is one of the Gaffer’s favourites and arguably our best American-born defender in the squad. Dotson came on for the last 13 minutes against Red Donkeys, and as a Seattle native and experienced as they come, I’d expect to see Hassani in the team barring a relapse of his injury. Cristian is going to be penciled in to the team unless his leg is broken or he’s concussed - guaranteed (leadership, superior work rate, tenacity in defence, quality passing, etc.). Rusnak is the veteran, has a good amount of skill (passing, goal scoring, set pieces…to a degree), and is always in favour with Schmetzer. Morris ditto Rusnak. Joveljic is the logical, and arguably the most effective, choice at the #9.
GK Thomas
LB Nouhou
LCH Hawkins
RCH Kim
RB Alex
LDM Dotson
RDM Cristian
LF Rothrock
CAM Rusnak
RF Morris
CF Joveljic
Intangibles
The Referee for Saturday night’s match will be Marcos de Oliveira.
LAG record with de Oliveira as Ref: 2-3-2
SEA record with de Oliveira as Ref: 1-2-0
LAG aggregate squad estimated transfer value: €47.93M
SEA aggregate squad estimated transfer value: €50.83M
LAG 2026 transfer fees paid: €6.98M
Sounders 2026 transfer fees paid: €5.2M
General notes on personnel
LA Galaxy transfers IN:
Glesnes (Philadelphia Union) €935,000
Haak (New York City FC) free
Joao Klauss (St. Louis City SC) €2M
Thommy (Sporting Kansas City) free
Elgersma - reserves
Taylor (MLS Pool) free
Furuhashi (Birmingham City) €1.2M
Lozano (San Diego FC) loan
Sergi Roberto (Como) free
Calegari (Eyupspor) €2.5M
Ruiz (Real Salt Lake) €345,000
LA Galaxy transfers OUT:
Berry (Charleston Battery) free
Fagundez (New England Revolution) free
Zavaleta - released
Zanka - released
Gino Vivi (Tampa Bay Rowdies) loan
Ramirez (Austin FC) free
Essengue (Loudoun United) loan
Lepley (Oakland Roots SC) loan
Nascimento (Botafogo) loan expired
Cuevas (Santos Laguna) undisclosed
Pec (Cruzeiro) €10.5M
Cerrillo (Club America) €3.5M
Yamane (Urawa Red Diamonds) undisclosed
Ramos (Sporting Kansas City) loan - fee €65,000
Essengue (Phoenix Rising FC) loan
Comparison against common opponents
COL 4:1 LAG
SEA 2:0 COL
(against COL: LAG 0-0-1 -3, SEA 1-0-0 +2) decisive edge SEA
LAG 1:2 SKC
SKC 3:1 LAG
SKC 1:1 SEA
(against SKC: LAG 0-0-2 -3, SEA 0-1-0 0) edge SEA
POR 1:1 LAG
SEA 1:5 POR
POR 2:1 SEA
(against POR: LAG 0-1-0 0, SEA 0-0-2 -5) decisive edge LAG
LAG 1:2 MIN
MIN 0:0 SEA
(against MIN: LAG 0-0-1 -1, SEA 0-1-0 0) marginal edge SEA
ATX 1:2 LAG
ATX 3:1 SEA
SEA 1:2 ATX
(against ATX: LAG 1-0-0 +1, SEA 0-0-2 -3) decisive edge LAG
DAL 2:2 LAG
LAG 0:0 DAL
SEA 2:1 DAL
(against DAL: LAG 0-2-0 0, SEA 1-0-0 +1) marginal edge SEA
LAG 2:1 RSL
RSL 2:1 SEA
(against RSL: LAG 1-0-0 +1, SEA 0-0-1 -1) decisive edge LAG
LAG 1:1 VAN
VAN 3:0 LAG
SEA 0:2 VAN
VAN 0:3 SEA CCC
SEA 3:1 VAN* CCC *at Spokane
(against VAN: LAG 0-1-1 -3, SEA 2-0-1 +3) decisive edge SEA
LAG 1:1 HOU
HOU 1:0 LAG
HOU 0:1 SEA
(against HOU: LAG 0-1-1 -1, SEA 1-0-0 +1) edge SEA
LAG 0:3 LAFC
LAFC 1:0 SEA
(against LAFC: LAG 0-0-1 -3, SEA 0-0-1 -1) marginal edge SEA
LAG 1:3 STL
STL 0:1 SEA
SEA 4:1 STL
(against STL: LAG 0-0-1 -2, SEA 2-0-0 +4) decisive edge SEA
SJ 1:1 LAG
LAG 1:0 SJ
SJ 0:1 SEA
SEA 3:2 SJ
(against SJ: LAG 1-1-0 +1, SEA 2-0-0 +2) edge SEA
SD 3:1 LAG
SEA 1:1 SD
(against SD: LAG 0-0-1 -2, SEA 0-1-0 0) edge SEA
TOL 4:2 LAG CCC
LAG 0:3 TOL CCC
TOL 3:0 SEA LC
(against TOL: LAG 0-0-2 -5, SEA 0-0-1 -3) marginal edge SEA
Know Thine Enemy
Galaxy as they lined up in their 3:0 defeat against Vancouver at BC Place on 9 September.
GOALKEEPER
JT Marcinkowski, 29
United States
Notable Clubs: San Jose Earthquakes (95/0), Los Angeles Galaxy (19/0)
Estimated Transfer Value: €400,000
Notes: Developed by San Jose Earthquakes. Played his university football for Georgetown (56/0).
DEFENCE
Julian Aude, 23
Argentina
Notable Clubs: Lanus (25/0), Los Angeles Galaxy (91/1)
Estimated Transfer Value: €2M
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.
Justin Haak, 24
United States
Notable Clubs: New York City FC (51/1), Hartford Athletic (23/1), Los Angeles Galaxy (24/0)
Estimated Transfer Value: €2.5M
Notes: Developed by New York City FC. Won a Campeones Cup with New York City FC.
Jakob Glesnes, 32
Norway
Notable Clubs: Asane (14/0), Sarpsborg 08 (14/0), Stromsgodset (98/3), Philadelphia Union (181/9), Los Angeles Galaxy (18/0)
Estimated Transfer Value: €2M
Notes: Won 2x MLS league championships with Philadelphia. Named MLS Defender of the Year 2022. Named 2x to MLS Best XI.
Harbor Miller, 19
United States
Notable Clubs: Los Angeles Galaxy (33/1)
Estimated Transfer Value: €800,000
Notes: Developed by Los Angeles Galaxy. Has played for United States (4/1) at youth levels.
MIDFIELD
Isaiah Parente, 26
United States
Notable Clubs: Columbus Crew SC (13/0), Los Angeles Galaxy (41/0)
Estimated Transfer Value: €350,000
Notes: Developed by Team Challenger FC and Columbus Crew SC. Played his university football at Wake Forest (50/3). Won a Campeones Cup and MLS Cup with Columbus Crew SC. Won a MLS Cup with LA Galaxy.
Pablo Ruiz, 27
Argentina
Notable Clubs: San Luis (10/0), Real Salt Lake (136/7), Los Angeles Galaxy (2/0)
Estimated Transfer Value: €1M
Notes: Developed by CAI and San Lorenzo.
Lucas Sanabria, 22
Uruguay
Notable Clubs: Nacional (29/2), Los Angeles Galaxy (44/4)
Estimated Transfer Value: €3.5M
Notes: Full name: Lucas Agustin Sanabria Magole. Developed by Nacional Florida and Nacional.
FORWARD
Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, 31
Mexico (75/18)
Notable Clubs: Pachuca (120/31), PSV Eindhoven (93/44), Napoli (120/23), San Diego FC (27/9), Los Angeles Galaxy (6/1)
Estimated Transfer Value: €3.5M
Notes: Developed by Pachuca and Titanes. Won a Liga MX title and a CONCACAF Champions League with Pachuca. Won 2x Dutch Eredivisie titles with PSV Eindhoven. Won a Serie A and Coppa Italia with Napoli. 2x named Liga MX Best XI. Named Liga MX Best Attacking Midfielder 2015-16. Won 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League Golden Boot (8 goals). Named CONCACAF Champions League Best Young Player 2016-17. Named to Dutch Eredivisie Team of the Season 2017-18. Named to UEFA Champions League Breakthrough Team 2018. Named CONCACAF Men’s Player of the Year 2018. 4x named to CONCACAF Best XI.
Kyogo Furuhashi, 31
Japan (23/5)
Notable Clubs: Vissel Kobe (95/42), Celtic (116/63), Rennes (6/0), Birmingham City (28/1), Los Angeles Galaxy (7/0)
Estimated Transfer Value: €2M
Notes: Developed by Sakuragaoka, Athpegas Ikoma, and Kokoku High School. Played his university football at Chuo. Won an Emperor’s Cup and Japanese Super Cup with Vissel Kobe. Won 4x Scottish Premiership, 2x Scottish Cup, and 3x Scottish League Cup with Celtic. Won 2022 Scottish Premier League Golden Boot (27 goals).
Robert Taylor, 31
Finland (34/2)
Notable Clubs: JJK (50/11), RoPS (41/14), AIK Stockholm (4/0), Tromso (55/8), Brann (57/12), Inter Miami CF (91/13), Austin FC (19/1), Los Angeles Galaxy (10/1)
Estimated Transfer Value: €1M
Notes: Developed by JJK and Nottingham Forest. Won an MLS league championship, and a Leagues Cup with Inter Miami CF.
Familiar Faces
None.
Squads
LA Galaxy from:
Micovic, Marcinkowski, Scott, Calegari, Aude, Yoshida, Glesnes, Nelson, Haak, Rindov, Garces, Miller, Dalgado, Sergi Roberto, Sanabria, Puig, Parente, Ruiz, Reus, Thommy, Elgersma, Furuhashi, Lozano, Taylor, Paintsil, Joao Klauss.
Sounders FC from:
Frei, Thomas, Hawkins, Kim, Kossa-Rienzi, Lopez, Nouhou, Alex, Ragen, Sailor, Brunell, Dotson, Gomez, Kingston, Clark, Cristian, Rusnak, Arriola, Joveljic, Morris, Musovski, Rothrock.
Injury List
(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)
LA Galaxy -
OUT: Wynder (ankle).
MATCHDAY DECISION: Paintsil (thigh).
Sounders FC -
OUT: Ferreira (hamstring), De la Vega (quadriceps), Gomez Andrade (calf), Petkovic (knee).
MATCHDAY DECISION: Kossa-Rienzi (ankle), Ragen (knee).
Discipline
(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)
No players suspended from either squad.
Fun Fact
A couple of fun facts today. Firstly, newboy Caden Clark has been given the #8 shirt. Secondly, a trip to Avalon Boulevard means that newly-signed Serbian striker, Dejan Joveljic will be lining up on Sat against the club that just sold him for €5.2M to the Sounders FC. So it’s likely to be a belter. Strap in.
