May 17, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Football Club midfielder Mark Delgado (8) competes for the ball with Nashville SC midfielder Alex Muyl (19) during the second half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images The Seattle Sounders and host Los Angeles FC would both like a good result Sunday night heading into the six-week break for the FIFA World Cup.
The Sounders (7-2-3, 24 points) had a nine-match MLS unbeaten streak (6-0-3) snapped last weekend with a 2-0 loss to the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy.
“We learned some things from that game and it’s not fun when you’re learning things and losing points that you feel like you should be earning,” said midfielder Paul Rothrock, who leads the Sounders with four goals in league play. “I think this last weekend was a slice of humble pie for us.”
Forward Danny Musovski had to leave the match against the Galaxy after losing a tooth in the sixth minute but will be available for selection on Sunday. Defender Alex Roldan (hamstring) remains questionable, according to coach Brian Schmetzer.
The Sounders have allowed just 10 goals this season, tied for the fewest in the league, though half of those have come in the past three matches.
After a strong start to the season, LAFC (6-5-3, 21 points) has lost its past three league matches and have won just once in their past eight (1-5-2), putting coach Marc Dos Santos’ job in jeopardy.
Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who set a record by opening the season with six straight shutouts, missed last weekend’s 3-2 loss to Nashville SC with an undisclosed leg injury and isn’t expected to be available Sunday. Thomas Hasal made his second start of 2026 and allowed three goals, while making only one save.
Son Heung-Min leads the league with nine assists but has yet to score.
“I don’t think the problem is with the coach’s tactics. Recently, we’ve had some bad luck, and opposing goalkeepers have made many saves,” Son told the U.S. edition of Goal.
“Ultimately, the biggest responsibility lies with me. I can’t blame anyone else. I haven’t lost the feeling for scoring goals. I’m not too worried about the current dry spell.”
Denis Bouanga leads LAFC with 11 goal contributions (six goals, five assists), and David Martinez has scored five times.
LAFC has never lost a regular-season game at home against the Sounders (8-0-1), winning the past five in a row, though Seattle has a pair of playoff wins at BMO Stadium.
–Field Level Media
