A six-match winning streak will be on the line for Seattle Sounders when they host high-flying Los Angeles FC at Lumen Field on Sunday.
The hosts are without a victory in their last seven meetings against the visitors, losing five and drawing the other two, which makes this fixture a tricky one for them.
Match preview
Seattle Sounders found their form in late March, igniting a winning streak they will look to extend beyond Sunday's clash.
Even more impressive, the Sounders are unbeaten in all competitions since a March 9 defeat away to Kansas City, recording seven wins and a draw in eight games since then, including a 2-1 US Open Cup victory over Sacramento Republic.
Brian Schmetzer's men coolly dispatched St Louis in their most recent league match, scoring a goal in each half to secure a 2-0 victory at Lumen Field.
This win propelled the Rave Green to sixth place in the Western Conference of the MLS table, one point ahead of Portland, who occupy the final guaranteed playoff spot.
However, their impressive run faces a stern test against one of the league's best teams this season, a side they last beat in 2021, failing to win in the last three times they hosted this fixture, drawing twice and losing most recently.
Meanwhile, LAFC are yet to fully recover from a humbling 5-1 defeat at the hands of Columbus, as they could only manage a 1-1 draw against fellow top-three contenders, Real Salt Lake.
Steve Cherundolo's side were on a remarkable run before their last two matches, recording 12 victories and a draw to go on a 13-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.
These recent results have seen the Black and Gold surrender top spot in the Western Conference, as they now sit two points behind LA Galaxy.
Despite boasting the best home record across both conferences, LAFC's last two winless matches have come on home soil, and they will be hoping a return to the road can help them end this mini-slump.
Cherundolo's men are unbeaten in their last six away matches, which includes five wins and a draw, a record they will hope to extend against Seattle.
Team News
Braudilio Rodrigues is still nursing a hamstring injury, which will delay his debut for Seattle Sounders since signing from Tacoma Defiance.
Meanwhile, Stuart Hawkins and Josh Atencio will both be unavailable for a considerable number of matches, as they have both teamed up with the United States Olympics side.
Jordan Morris has scored five times in his last five matches for the hosts, and he is expected to lead the attack once again.
LAFC will still be unable to call on the services of Italian defender Lorenzo Dellavalle, who is nursing a knee problem.
Sergi Palencia and Murillo will return from suspension, and this could see their replacements for the midweek game, Aaron Long and Omar Campos, drop out of the XI.
Dennis Bouanga, who is LAFC's leading scorer, is expected to be part of an attacking trio that includes Mateusz Bogusz and Wednesday's goalscorer Cristian Olivera.
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; Tolo, Ragen, Bell, A. Roldan; C. Roldan, Vargas; Chu, Rusnak, Rothrock; Morris
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Hollingshead, Palencia, Chanot, Murillo; Tillman, Ilie, Atuesta; Bogusz, Bouanga, Olivera
We say: Seattle Sounders 1-1 Los Angeles FC
This is a tricky tie for both teams, as Seattle Sounders currently have the momentum, but LAFC have thrived in this fixture for the last couple of years and are one of the best sides in the league this year, which is why we are settling for a draw in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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