There will be no conference final between the Los Angeles teams. The most long-awaited edition of “El Tráfico” only remained a wish. LAFC, No. 1 seed in the West, has been eliminated.
Seattle Sounders, who had not beaten LAFC in three and a half years (10 games in all competitions), won 1-2 on Saturday night in Los Angeles to spring the surprise.
The 109th minute was played when Jordan Morris received a ball from his teammate Georgi Minoungou inside the area in an action that originated from a corner kick. The United States national team, with its great power, opened the space and shot right into the corner to make it 2-1.
LAFC, which had numerous opportunities at the close of regular time and the first extra time thwarted by Swiss goalkeeper Stefan Freiwas looking to play in the conference finals for the third consecutive year. They won the MLS Cup in 2022 and lost the grand final against Columbus in 2023.
Seattle will play the conference championship game against the winner this Sunday between the LA Galaxy and Minnesota United.
LAFC took the lead, but then came an own goal
LAFC opened the scoring in the 50th minute through winger Ryan Hollingshead, who finished off a right-wing diagonal from Mateusz Bogusz. Hollingshead scored three goals in the 2023 playoffs. He did it again on his team’s first shot on goal of the night.
But the pleasure was short-lived for the home team because at 59′ a real bucket of cold water came when Seattle tied via own goal.
The French defender Maxime Chanot rejected a ball in the area from the Mexican Obed Vargas with terrible technique and the ball entered next to the post of the goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who, in disbelief, was left without reaction.
Vargas, 19, has represented Mexican teams in different categories although he was born in Alaska.
LAFC closed regulation strong, including another shot by Hollingshead inside the six-yard box on a corner kick that goalkeeper Frei dramatically stopped.
In the first extra time, the Swiss Frei continued to be the figure of the night. In the 91st minute, he saved a free shot from Timothy Tillman. At 100′, he took a dangerous shot with his leg inside the area from the Polish Bogusz. And the Spanish Ilie Sánchez, who came on as a substitute for extra time, finished just wide in a half-turn to the far post.
At 120′, Frei made his eighth save of the game by blocking, with a blow including the post, Hollingshead’s powerful volley. LAFC’s last hope faded at 122′ when Dennis Bouanga’s right-footed shot went just wide.
Then came Morris’ great goal at the beginning of the second overtime that silenced the Los Angeles fans.
News in development.