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The ties to 2014 only grow stronger for the LA Galaxy as they will face Seattle Sounders FC in the Western Conference Final in their first visit to the Conference Finals since the last time they won MLS Cup. The “Killer P’s” – Joseph Paintsil, Gabriel Pec, and Riqui Puig – have been lights out this postseason, producing a combined 15 goal contributions (10 goals, five assists) as the Galaxy continue to carve open their opponents’ defenses. Head coach Greg Vanney is looking to become just the sixth head coach to appear in four MLS Cup matches and return to the championship match for his first time since 2019 with Toronto FC. Postseason history also leans in the Galaxy’s favor against the Sounders, as the club has accrued a 4-0-3 record against their Pacific Northwest foe in the playoffs, including two Western Conference Finals victories in 2012 and 2014. There are legacies on the line in Seattle as well heading into this Saturday’s match as a win would ensure a fifth MLS Cup presented by Audi appearance for the Sounders since their first MLS season in 2009 – the most of any MLS club over that span. Head coach Brian Schmetzer and three players – Stefan Frei, Jordan Morris, and Cristian Roldan – have been part of each of the last four MLS Cup runs, and the trio of players will look to join Darlington Nagbe and Hector Jiménez as the only active players to have won at least three MLS Cup titles. Additionally, Schmetzer would join Bruce Arena as the only head coaches in league history to lift the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy three different times. |