If you’ve spent any time at a bar in Pioneer Square or a brewery in the Expo Park district, you know the vibe. It’s not just noise; it’s a specific kind of tension. Honestly, calling Seattle Sounders vs LAFC a "matchup" feels like a bit of an understatement. It’s more of a persistent, high-stakes collision that has basically defined the Western Conference for the last few years.
People love to talk about the "Cascadia Cup" or "El Trafico," but if you're looking for the games that actually decide who lifts the trophies, you're looking at Rave Green versus Black & Gold.
The Playoff Hex: Seattle’s Secret Edge?
Most fans look at the regular-season stats and assume LAFC has the Sounders figured out. They aren't entirely wrong. Going into the 2026 season, LAFC has a pretty dominant historical lead in regular-season play. In fact, at BMO Stadium, the Sounders have struggled immensely, with LAFC holding a staggering 8-0-1 record at home against Seattle in regular-season meetings.
But here is what most people get wrong: the regular season is a lie when these two meet in November.
Take a look at what happened in the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals. LAFC was the top seed. Seattle was the fourth. The game was in LA. Logic said LAFC cruises. Instead, we got 110 minutes of grueling, scoreless-then-chaotic soccer until Jordan Morris pounced on a bad clearance to score a banger in extra time. Seattle walked out with a 2-1 win, ending LAFC's season on their own turf.
It’s a pattern. Seattle has this weird, veteran knack for "having LAFC's number" when the lights are brightest. They did it in 2019, famously spoiling LAFC’s record-breaking Supporters' Shield season with a 3-1 upset in the Conference Final. They did it again in 2020.
2025: A Year of Weird Extremes
Last season was a rollercoaster that perfectly illustrates why you can't bet on this fixture.
In March 2025, the Sounders absolutely dismantled LAFC 5-2 at Lumen Field. It was a clinic. Paul Rothrock and Albert Rusnák were everywhere. Fans thought, "Okay, Seattle has finally closed the gap."
Then came May.
LAFC welcomed Seattle to BMO Stadium and delivered a 4-0 thumping. Cengiz Ünder, the Turkish international who joined LAFC as a Designated Player, opened the scoring. Denis Bouanga—who is basically a cheat code at this point—added another to his tally. By the time Jeremy Ebobisse and Yaw Yeboah finished their shifts, the Sounders looked like they’d forgotten how to play soccer.
That’s the beauty and the frustration of this rivalry. One week it’s a tactical chess match; the next, it’s a five-goal blowout.
The Names You Need to Watch in 2026
We are entering a bit of a transition period for both clubs, which makes the 2026 matchups even more unpredictable.
Seattle’s Youth Movement
The Sounders are finally leaning into their "internal pipeline." Two names you’re going to hear a lot this season are Yu Tsukanome and Sebastian Gomez. Tsukanome is coming off a massive year with Tacoma Defiance, where he set a single-season record with 21 goals. He’s clinical. Gomez is a local kid, a creative midfielder who’s been in the academy since 2017.
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With Stefan Frei getting older—and a scary hospitalization in 2025 reminding everyone he’s human—the spotlight is shifting to Andrew Thomas. He won the Best Goalkeeper award in the 2025 Leagues Cup (which Seattle won by beating Inter Miami, by the way). Thomas is widely expected to be the long-term successor, and his ability to handle LAFC’s high press will be the difference between a clean sheet and a disaster.
LAFC’s Star Power
On the other side, Steve Cherundolo still has the luxury of Denis Bouanga. The man is relentless. He’s chasing his third consecutive 20-goal season, a feat no one in MLS history has achieved.
But keep an eye on David Martínez. The young Venezuelan is starting to look like the next big thing in LA. He’s got that "Vela-esque" ability to drift inside and disappear from defenders. When you pair him with the veteran presence of Olivier Giroud, who is still racking up assists at a high clip, LAFC’s attack remains the most terrifying unit in the league.
Why the 2026 Schedule is Different
This year, the timing is everything. The first meeting is set for May 24, 2026, at BMO Stadium.
Why does that matter? Because the Sounders are also prepping for the 2025/2026 Club World Cup cycles and have been dealing with a heavily congested schedule. Brian Schmetzer has been forced to rotate more than he’d like.
LAFC, meanwhile, has been incredibly disciplined under Cherundolo. They are 53-3-5 in the regular season when they score the first goal. Basically, if LAFC gets up 1-0 on you, the game is a morgue.
The "Non-Derby" Rivalry
It’s funny—LAFC fans will tell you their rival is the Galaxy. Sounders fans will point to Portland.
But if you ask the players? They’ll tell you this is the one that hurts.
There’s a level of "competitive friction" here that goes back to 2014, when LAFC was first announced. The Sounders were the gold standard of expansion success. LAFC didn’t just want to join the league; they wanted to take Seattle’s crown.
Since LAFC’s debut in 2018—where they famously beat Seattle 1-0 in their first-ever game—the two teams have traded blows that feel personal. It’s the "Old Guard" of the Pacific Northwest against the "New Hollywood" of Southern California.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following these two this season, keep these tactical realities in mind:
- Watch the Wingbacks: Seattle’s 4-2-3-1 relies heavily on Alex Roldan and the left-back (often Artem Smoliakov for LAFC on the flip side) to provide width. If LAFC’s wingers, like Bouanga, pin them back, Seattle’s offense dies.
- The 60-Minute Mark: Seattle tends to be a second-half team. They thrive on wearing opponents down. LAFC, conversely, tries to kill the game in the first 20 minutes. If it’s 0-0 at halftime, the advantage swings heavily toward the Rave Green.
- Don't Ignore the Bench: With new signings like Yu Tsukanome, Seattle finally has a "game-changer" sub. In previous years, they lacked a spark off the bench. That’s gone now.
The next time these two face off, don't just look at the table positions. Look at the lineup. If Seattle is starting their "Playoff 11," throw the history books out the window. If LAFC gets the first goal at home, grab a drink and settle in for a defensive masterclass. This isn't just a game; it's the blueprint for how the Western Conference is won.