Albert Rusnák needed 60 seconds to change the game. The Sounders midfielder struck inside the opening minute at Lumen Field, then set up Sebastian Gomez for a 31st-minute second, and Seattle did enough to hold on through a late Los Angeles FC push, winning 2-1 on the final day of the MLS regular season. LAFC had 61 percent of the ball and 24 shots but left Seattle without a result, their deficit at the top of the Western Conference table still intact heading into the playoffs.
Key Moments
- 1′, Rusnák gets on the end of a Cristian Roldan pass to put Seattle ahead with almost the first touch of the game, stunning the visitors early.
- 24′, Jordan Morris is taken off and replaced by Jesus Ferreira as Seattle look to hold their shape after the early lead.
- 31′, Gomez doubles the lead, converting after a Rusnák assist to make it 2-0 and effectively put the game to bed before the break.
- 66′, Both Rusnák and Gomez are withdrawn at the same time, Snyder Brunell and Paul Arriola coming on as Seattle protect the result.
- 81′, Eddie Segura pulls one back for LAFC from a Ryan Porteous assist, setting up a nervy final ten minutes for the hosts.
- 90′, Seattle survive stoppage time despite two yellow cards in quick succession to close out the win.
Tactical Breakdown
Seattle’s gameplan worked almost comically well for the first half hour. Brian Schmetzer set his side up in a 4-2-3-1 and they had almost nothing of the ball, finishing the game with just 39 percent possession and an xG of 0.57, but it barely mattered. Two goals from two of their five total shots, both arrived from quick transitions built on sharp interplay between Rusnák and Roldan. LAFC, by contrast, generated 1.9 xG and 24 shots, but spent most of the first half chasing a game they had already lost.
The double substitution at 66 minutes, both Rusnák and Gomez coming off together, was clearly Schmetzer’s signal to shift from creation to containment. Arriola and Brunell gave Seattle more legs in the middle to close down space, and that protection was needed: LAFC finished the half with 12 corners and 15 shots inside the box. The late change of Porteous pushing forward for set pieces eventually paid off for the visitors when Segura converted from his assist in the 81st minute, but by then it was too little.
For interim boss Xavi Tamarit, the evening illustrated LAFC’s recurring problem: an inability to convert dominance into goals at a consistent rate. Eight of their 24 shots were blocked, eight more went off target, and goalkeeper Thomas made seven saves to earn his clean sheet in everything but name. Son Heung-Min, deployed as the focal forward, was unable to get on the scoresheet against a disciplined if low-block Seattle back line.
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Standings
Head To Head
Verdict
Seattle finish the regular season in eighth place in the Western Conference with 46 points, entering the playoffs at the first round. LAFC end up sixth with 47 points and earn a last-16 bye. The gap to conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps, who finished on 64 points, tells the fuller story of a Western Conference that was decided well before Decision Day at Lumen Field.
Los Angeles FC
Seattle Sounders