The MLS season is reaching the business end as the Western Conference playoffs hit the semi-final stage, where LA FC will host the Seattle Sounders in a huge clash this weekend.
LA have become the first team to reach the conference semi-finals three seasons in a row, having defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 in their three-game series, while Seattle claimed a sweep of sorts in their three-game series against the Houston Dynamo, with two consecutive penalty shootout wins to reach this stage.
We'll take a look at the match-up between the number one and number four seeds in the west, and provide you with our best free soccer betting picks to try and earn you some extra cash while you take in the action on the field.
Learn more about how to bet on the MLS playoffs here.
LA FC v Seattle Sounders information
- Saturday, 23rd November 2024
- 22:30 ET kick-off
- BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, California
- Live on Apple TV
LA FC season so far
After missing out on back-to-back championships last season, LA FC strengthened their squad in the off-season and have continued to excel in the 2024 campaign, by finishing top of the Western Conference once again.
The season started slowly though with just one win in their first four games, which came on the opening day against the Seattle Sounders. In fact, LA won just three of their first nine games this season, with defeats to Real Salt Lake, Minnesota United and Colorado Rapids slowing them down. But the team found fantastic form in May and went on a sensational run of nine wins in ten games, including six-in-a-row between May 11 and July 4th.
That was followed by just one win in their next eight games though, which once again came against the Sounders. Following a 3-1 defeat to FC Dallas, the team responded brilliantly with five wins in a row to close out the regular season.
In the playoff quarter-final they were paired with Vancouver and claimed a 2-1 win in the opening game, with top scorer Denis Bouanga scoring yet again from the spot. The second game was a poor display however, as Vancouver claimed a huge 3-0 win to take it to a game 3, where LA FC earned a brilliant 1-0 win with Mateusz Bogusz firing the winner just after the hour mark.
The team also had a successful time in the US Open Cup, beating Seattle in the semi-finals before a 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City after extra-time to lift the trophy.
Seattle Sounders season so far
The Sounders had a horrific start to their season in the MLS in 2024 with just one win in their opening nine games, as they suffered defeat in five of those and failed to win any of their first five in the process.
Soon after that however, Brian Schmetzer managed to get things back on track with a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Union, and the team lost only two of their next 14 games with a sensational five-game winning streak at the end of that run against FC Dallas, Chicago Fire, New England Revolution, Austin FC and St Louis City.
LA FC snapped that run but another 3-2 win over Minnesota United followed, and while a 1-0 defeat to Portland Timbers came right behind, the team went unbeaten over the rest of the regular season. Seattle won five of their final seven games, keeping a clean sheet in all five victories while ending the season with a 1-1 draw.
In the playoffs Seattle matched up with the Houston Dynamo and the opening game of the series ended in a 0-0 draw, with the Sounders claiming a 5-4 win on penalties with Alexander Roldan netting the winner. Then in game 2 there was nothing to separate the sides once again as they drew 1-1, with Cristian Roldan scoring the opening goal in the 87th minute before netting a 93rd minute own goal. He scored in the shootout, as Tate Schmitt missed to send Seattle through.
Semifinal set 👊
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) November 10, 2024
We’re headed to BMO Stadium on Nov. 23. pic.twitter.com/oSH8SqoSaI
Soccer picks: LA FC to qualify @ -200
On paper this game isn't that close, but it won't be easy for LA to go and secure a win in 90 minutes. The teams have met four times this season with Los Angeles winning each time, but the playoffs have seen Seattle show a defensive resilience that won't be easy to break down.
LA FC had one of the best defensive records in the MLS this season with World Cup winner Hugo Lloris stepping up as the leader in the absence of the retired Giorgio Chiellini, and his experience in these scenarios will be key. They also have such quality in their team with the likes of Bouanga, Bogusz and Olivier Giroud that they should have too much for Seattle over the course of the tie.
A win in 90 minutes shouldn't be ruled out, but it's better to be safe at this price just to back them to progress to the Conference finals.
Check out our review for Bovada sports betting here.
Soccer picks: Both teams to score - No @ +102
As mentioned already, LA have won all four of the meetings between the two sides so far this season. But it should also be mentioned that Seattle have only scored one in those four games, which was all the way back on the opening day of the season and came from the penalty spot.
Meanwhile LA FC have scored nine goals in those four games, showing their clear advantage in the offensive areas of the pitch. With the defensive stability on the show and the fact this is a win-or-go-home game, don't expect too many risks to be taken. The pattern of LA scoring and dominating for a win and a clean sheet looks set to continue.
Check out our review for BetUS sports betting here.
