Seattle Sounders v LA Galaxy: Vanney searching for strength in defence

Greg Vanney has accepted that the playoffs are out of the LA Galaxy's reach, but has urged his team to put on a defensive show when they travel to Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

The Galaxy are bottom of the Western Conference but are not officially out of the playoff fight yet, as they are 15 points behind the San Jose Earthquakes with six games to play.

It would take a monumental swing, with LA relying on other results, though they are unbeaten in their last two MLS matches (W1 D1), snatching a late 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo.

The Galaxy have recently faced the Sounders twice, losing 4-0 in MLS and 2-0 in the Leagues Cup semi-final, and Vanney noted how important a strong defense will be.

"Honestly, I don't think we're too focused on whether we get eliminated from the playoffs or not," Vanney said.

"I think we understand where our positioning is and what we'd have to achieve from here on out. What's key for us, against a difficult team in a tough place to play, is making sure we're rock solid on the defensive side of things.

"We know we're probably not going to go there and score three goals, so can we get out of there with a 1-0? We know their quality, and I imagine they'll be getting a few guys healthy, so we'll have our hands full for sure."

Since their last MLS outing, the Sounders have won the Leagues Cup, beating Inter Miami 3-0 in the final, and are on a three-game winning streak in all competitions. They currently sit fourth in the West.

Head coach Brian Schmetzer is also boosted by players returning from injury, including the likes of Albert Rusnak and Jordan Morris, but he has yet to decide if they will be thrown straight in.

"I've already started those conversations," Schmetzer said. "I've just reminded those players that the strength of this team is the collective.

"The best thing they can do is push their team-mates, and if they're not in the group, train hard, be ready for your opportunity.

"I've had that conversation with everybody, specifically with the guys coming back from injury. They have to show me they're ready to go. That's a given."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Danny Musovski

In Seattle's last match, Danny Musovski became the eighth different Sounders player to score a hat-trick in MLS play.

Since the Sounders became an MLS team in 2009, only D.C. United (10) have had more different players register at least one hat-trick.

LA Galaxy – Lucas Sanabria

Lucas Sanabria scored the game-tying goal in the 99th minute against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

It was the latest goal (98:16) scored by the Galaxy over the last 15 seasons, and was just Sanabria's second goal of the campaign.

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

Seattle are unbeaten in their last nine home matches (W5 D4) in regular-season play against the LA Galaxy. That is the longest home unbeaten streak in league play against the Galaxy since Sporting Kansas City had an 11-game run from 2008 to 2018.

In their last league match, the Sounders earned a 5-2 win over Sporting KC, marking the fourth time this regular season that they have scored four or more goals.

The only season in which Seattle had more regular-season games with at least four goals was 2014 (seven).

As for the Galaxy, they are winless in their 15 regular-season matches on the road in 2025 (D6 L9). The last MLS team to go winless on the road through an entire season was Toronto FC in 2023, while LA have done so once (2003).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 62.3%

Draw – 20%

LA Galaxy – 17.7%