Schmetzer harbours regrets over Seattle's Decision Day position

Brian Schmetzer admits the Seattle Sounders will have nobody to blame but themselves if they fail to make the MLS Cup Playoffs, as they enter Decision Day needing a result against Los Angeles FC.

With one regular-season game remaining, Seattle sit 10th in the Western Conference, level on points with both the Portland Timbers and the Colorado Rapids, who occupy the wild-card spots.

The LA Galaxy occupy the final automatic playoff spot, in seventh, though they could still drop out of the picture entirely. LAFC, in sixth, are assured of their postseason place.

Having been routed 5-1 by the Vancouver Whitecaps last time out, a result that extended their winless streak to five games, Seattle must avoid defeat to have any chance of making the postseason.

Even if Seattle are victorious, they will need favours from elsewhere to finish above the dotted line, leaving Schmetzer with plenty of regrets. 

"Personally, I don't like it," Schmetzer said this week. "I mean, we shot ourselves in the foot in multiple, multiple games.

"I don't like the position we're in. But that's the reality, and we're facing reality and trying to make sure that we do everything we can to get a result on Saturday."

Winger Paul Arriola concurred, saying: "I think, in too many games this year, we've been reactive. We haven't been proactive. We haven't been on the front foot. 

"I think this game, that's what it's going to be about, right? It's going to be about rolling your sleeves up and believing in this veteran group, the guys who in the locker room that have been in big games, that have played in finals and been around for a long time."

LAFC, meanwhile, lost 3-1 to Minnesota United last time out, and interim head coach Xavi Tamarit has told his players their performance in that game fell short of their standards.

"The group has responded by training very well throughout the week. We've emphasised that anyone can have a bad day," he said. 

"What we cannot repeat is the passivity we showed during the first 15 minutes against Minnesota. 

"At a club with the standards of Los Angeles FC, that is simply not acceptable. It cannot happen again—and, frankly, I believe the players and I are in complete agreement on this."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Seattle Sounders – Dejan Joveljic 

Joveljic represented LAFC's rivals, the LA Galaxy, before moving to Seattle, and he has scored five goals in 13 matches against them in the competition.

The Serbia international also leads the Sounders' scoring charts this term, netting 13 times from chances worth 9.53 expected goals (xG). 

Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga

Bouanga has scored 18 goals this season in MLS play, 11 more than the next-most prolific LAFC player (Son Heung-min, seven). 

It is Bouanga's fourth straight season with 18 or more goals, with all other players in LAFC history hitting that figure once (Carloa Vela, 34 goals in 2019).

MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

LAFC have won 15 of their 26 all-time meetings with the Seattle Sounders (D4 L7) across all competitions. 

However, five of Seattle's seven wins in the fixture have come at home, which includes a 5–2 win in March 2025 the last time the Sounders hosted LAFC.

But, of course, the Sounders need a result far more than Los Angeles do, if they are to avoid missing out on the playoffs for just the second time since entering MLS in 2009.

And Schmetzer's men will hope to take advantage of their visitors being in poor form – LAFC's 3-1 defeat to Minnesota United was their third straight game without a win (D2 L1). 

They have now had five different MLS winless streaks of three or more matches this year, their most-ever in a single regular season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 42.2%

Los Angeles FC – 31.1%

Draw – 26.7%