Seattle Sounders are on their best come postseason time. And they showed that in the first round of 2020 MLS Cup playoffs, beating the LAFC 3-1 and securing a spot in the Western Conference semis.

It was a dominant performance from the reigning MLS Cup champions, as Sounders opened the scoring just 18 minutes into the contest. Raul Ruidiaz and Jordan Morris made a well-executed setup in LAFC’s penalty box, making it easy for Nicolas Lodeiro to strike it home and give his team a lead.

LAFC had a chance to bounce back right away, being awarded a penalty in the 21st minute following a Nouhou Tolo’s tackle on Carlos Vela. LA’s star striker took it upon himself to execute but delivered a bad shot that was easily caught Sounders’ goalie Stefan Frei.

Seattle increased their lead in the 66th minute when Ruidiaz used a commotion in LAFC’s penalty box after a corner kick and scored from a beautiful volley.

Colombia’s Eduard Atuesta gave some hope to LAFC by scoring in the 77th minute, but this turned out to be everything that the LA team managed to do. Sounders closed out the game just three minutes later after Morris added a goal to his name alongside the assist.

Sounders, who have a chance to add their third MLS Cup win in five years this season, will next face FC Dallas.

LAFC, on the other hand, is ending their quest for trophies early on once again and will have to go back to the drawing board.

The post Defending MLS Cup Champs Seattle Sounders Beat LAFC 3-1 to Open the Playoffs appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The first Major League Soccer season for Los Angeles FC is off to a good start after the team defeated Seattle Sounders 1-0 on Sunday. After being established in 2014, LAFC started competing in MLS from 2018 season and this was their first official game. It was also the first time their head coach Bob Bradley led an MLS team since 2006. The 20-year-old winger Diego Rossi scored a goal after a great pass from Carlos Vela in the 11th minute and LAFC never looked back, holding to their advantage despite a few good looks Sounders’ players had.

After the game, Bradley didn’t hide his pleasure with the way his team played, saying LAFC is “only going to get better” in the future.

“It’s a great win,” – said Bradley after the game. “The first 25 minutes the football was actually pretty good. After that, it was more about fighting and defending. But when you’re starting out as a team, you have to learn how to win different types of games. A lot of guys gave big efforts. We talked today that you only get one chance for [a first impression], so you’ve got to show what you’re all about. I don’t think we showed, football-wise, what we’re capable of, but that’s only going to get better. I’m confident that as we build this team, that we’re going to see some real football.“

This wasn’t the first time Bob Bradley lead an expansion team to the victory in their first game since he did the same with Chicago Fire in 1998. After serving two years as Bruce Arena’s assistant at D.C. United, he was named the head coach of Chicago Fire and managed to win MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup in his first season.

The post Bob Bradley Says Los Angeles FC is “Only Going to Get Better” After the First Win appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Seattle Sounders are on their best come postseason time. And they showed that in the first round of 2020 MLS Cup playoffs, beating the LAFC 3-1 and securing a spot in the Western Conference semis.

It was a dominant performance from the reigning MLS Cup champions, as Sounders opened the scoring just 18 minutes into the contest. Raul Ruidiaz and Jordan Morris made a well-executed setup in LAFC’s penalty box, making it easy for Nicolas Lodeiro to strike it home and give his team a lead.

LAFC had a chance to bounce back right away, being awarded a penalty in the 21st minute following a Nouhou Tolo’s tackle on Carlos Vela. LA’s star striker took it upon himself to execute but delivered a bad shot that was easily caught Sounders’ goalie Stefan Frei.

Seattle increased their lead in the 66th minute when Ruidiaz used a commotion in LAFC’s penalty box after a corner kick and scored from a beautiful volley.

Colombia’s Eduard Atuesta gave some hope to LAFC by scoring in the 77th minute, but this turned out to be everything that the LA team managed to do. Sounders closed out the game just three minutes later after Morris added a goal to his name alongside the assist.

Sounders, who have a chance to add their third MLS Cup win in five years this season, will next face FC Dallas.

LAFC, on the other hand, is ending their quest for trophies early on once again and will have to go back to the drawing board.

The post Defending MLS Cup Champs Seattle Sounders Beat LAFC 3-1 to Open the Playoffs appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The first Major League Soccer season for Los Angeles FC is off to a good start after the team defeated Seattle Sounders 1-0 on Sunday. After being established in 2014, LAFC started competing in MLS from 2018 season and this was their first official game. It was also the first time their head coach Bob Bradley led an MLS team since 2006. The 20-year-old winger Diego Rossi scored a goal after a great pass from Carlos Vela in the 11th minute and LAFC never looked back, holding to their advantage despite a few good looks Sounders’ players had.

After the game, Bradley didn’t hide his pleasure with the way his team played, saying LAFC is “only going to get better” in the future.

“It’s a great win,” – said Bradley after the game. “The first 25 minutes the football was actually pretty good. After that, it was more about fighting and defending. But when you’re starting out as a team, you have to learn how to win different types of games. A lot of guys gave big efforts. We talked today that you only get one chance for [a first impression], so you’ve got to show what you’re all about. I don’t think we showed, football-wise, what we’re capable of, but that’s only going to get better. I’m confident that as we build this team, that we’re going to see some real football.“

This wasn’t the first time Bob Bradley lead an expansion team to the victory in their first game since he did the same with Chicago Fire in 1998. After serving two years as Bruce Arena’s assistant at D.C. United, he was named the head coach of Chicago Fire and managed to win MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup in his first season.

The post Bob Bradley Says Los Angeles FC is “Only Going to Get Better” After the First Win appeared first on SportzBonanza.