The Night the Sounders Bowed to LAFC

LAFC’s run in the 2024 Leagues Cup is more than just a winning streak—it's a statement of power and dominance. On Saturday night, the goal rain that fell on the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field was no accident. Ryan Hollingshead, Kei Kamara, and Denis Bouanga were the stars of the night, but this 3-0 victory was built long before the whistle blew. We're talking about a team with talent as its foundation, but that operates like a well-oiled machine, where every piece knows exactly what to do. LAFC is everything every other team aspires to be right now.

There’s nothing more satisfying than watching a team put their opponent in their pocket—especially when that opponent is the Seattle Sounders, one of MLS's giants. LAFC’s victory was more than just punching their ticket to the semifinals. What Denis Bouanga did on the field deserves to go down in the history books. His goal didn’t just seal the win; it stamped his name on the Leagues Cup as the tournament’s top scorer. Surpassing Lionel Messi, especially after everything the Argentine has done in this competition, is no small feat. It’s as if Bouanga is carving out his own legacy, one goal at a time.

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But what’s really impressive is how LAFC is playing. They’re crafting a style of soccer that’s both efficient and spectacular. It’s not just about the scoreboard. The lightning-fast counterattack that led to Bouanga’s goal was a masterclass in the game. Hugo Lloris isn’t just content with making saves. He’s a hidden conductor, launching long balls like a magician casting spells and kick-starting the offense that opponents just can’t seem to stop.

LAFC is in a phase where nothing seems capable of slowing them down. Since May, they’ve only lost once across all competitions. Let that sink in for a second. We’re talking about a team that’s won 17 times in 21 games. That’s not just impressive; it’s downright terrifying. There’s an unshakable confidence in every pass, every run, every shot.

We’re watching LAFC evolve right in front of us, becoming not just one of the best teams in MLS, but a club with far greater ambitions. Reaching the Leagues Cup semifinals for the first time, they’re already favorites. And if anyone doubts that, I suggest you take a look at the numbers. This is a team that knows how to win. The stats speak for themselves. In three meetings with the Seattle Sounders this year, LAFC has won them all, with a combined score of 8-1. And if the numbers don’t convince you, their on-field performance surely will.

Steve Cherundolo knows it’s not enough to just have good players. The key lies in how they’re organized, in how the defense is structured to sustain the fast, deadly counterattacks that have become the team’s trademark. Cherundolo seems to have grasped something that many coaches miss: soccer is as tactical as it is technical. And it’s that blend of tactical discipline and creative freedom that’s transforming LAFC into an unstoppable force.

The irony here is that, despite all the offensive fireworks, LAFC’s success is as much about their defense as it is their attack. Hugo Lloris has brought a solidity and confidence to the goal that allows the team to play with more freedom up front. And in a team that’s finding the back of the net almost at will, that makes all the difference.

Now, the Colorado Rapids are next in line. And honestly, who’s betting against LAFC at this point? LAFC is on the verge of adding another trophy to their shelf, and that’s no exaggeration. The pieces are all in place, the momentum is on their side, and, frankly, destiny seems to be working in their favor. The victory over the Seattle Sounders wasn’t just a step forward; it was a warning.