Seattle have ´full confidence´ in their ´weapons´ ahead of conference final, says Vargas

Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas says the team have “full confidence” and the “weapons” to beat LA Galaxy ahead of the Western Conference final.

The Sounders, who finished fourth in the regular season, have already knocked out top-seed Los Angeles FC, coming from behind to beat them 2-1 in the semifinals.

While they scraped through the first round with two penalty shoot-out wins over Houston Dynamo, Seattle are no stranger to the conference final, with this their seventh.

Vargas believes the team have finally found their rhythm and has no doubts they can provide the Galaxy with a stern test on Saturday.

“These are the games that show us what we got, show us what we’re made of,” said Vargas. “If we want to be champions, we have to beat the best teams.

“We don’t take any team lightly. LA Galaxy and LAFC were top of the West for a reason, but we have full confidence that we have the weapons to exploit them.

“We have full confidence in ourselves. We always knew we were a good team. We always knew that we could go far. It was just a matter of getting things to click and showing it.”

Hardware on the line pic.twitter.com/gx4dwoV4cx

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) November 27, 2024

Meanwhile, the Galaxy have cruised through the playoffs so far, and their free-scoring run continued when they thrashed Minnesota United 6-2 last time out.

The meetings between the Galaxy and Sounders this season have been fairly even, with both teams taking a win each and drawing the other 0-0.

Greg Vanney believes a game like this could reignite the old rivalry between the sides as he anticipates a tight encounter.

“You have two teams with championship pedigree,” he told reporters.

“This is the biggest moment these two could face each other, and it could definitely reignite a rivalry with that formula.

“It can reignite passion and this is going to be a hard-fought battle from both teams, and we’ll see what comes off it, but I think it could definitely see a resurgence of that competitive spirit between the sides.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LA Galaxy – Joseph Paintsil

Three Galaxy players (Joseph Paintsil, Dejan Joveljic, Gabriel Pec) scored twice in their win over Minnesota United in the conference semifinals, while Paintsil also got an assist for the Serb’s second.

The Galaxy have six multi-goal performances by players in this year’s playoffs, two more than any other team in a single postseason in MLS history (Galaxy – four in 2002).

Seattle Sounders – Jordan Morris

Jordan Morris’ extra-time match-winning goal in the conference semifinals against LAFC was his ninth career postseason goal for the Sounders, equaling Raul Ruidiaz for most in team history.

Only five players have scored 10 or more postseason goals for a single team in MLS history.

Locked in on the West pic.twitter.com/Ucl8GQvTkn

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) November 28, 2024

MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN

This will be the fifth playoff meeting between the Galaxy and Sounders and the third in the conference finals, with LA advancing to the MLS Cup in both 2012 and 2014 at the expense of Seattle.

The only time Seattle eliminated the Galaxy in the playoffs was in 2015, the last postseason meeting between the sides.

The Sounders and Galaxy (four each) have reached the MLS Cup Final more than any other teams since 2009.

The Galaxy have scored 15 goals in their three playoff matches in 2024, tied for the second-most goals ever scored in a three-match span in MLS history (regular season or playoffs). Only Toronto FC in 2016 (17) have scored more goals in a single postseason than the Galaxy’s 15 this year.

Seattle have reached the conference finals for the seventh time in club history, more than any other team since they joined MLS in 2009.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LA Galaxy – 44.9%

Draw – 26.9%

Seattle Sounders – 28.2%