LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders, 2016 US Open Cup: Match Preview

After a successful third league win in a row, the LA Galaxy play host to the Seattle Sounders in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup. And so, we are down to the elite eight of the competition, a stage the LA Galaxy have never been in before under current manager Bruce Arena.

From a Galaxy perspective, the US Open Cup not entirely first priority, but after reaching the quarterfinals for the first time with the Galaxy, perhaps a traditionally reserved Bruce Arena will find a new value in the Cup. Bruce can sometimes be far too cautious when it comes to cup competitions, and the question here is will he do the same this time around?

Of course, for the Sounders, the US Open Cup may be the only thing they have left to compete for this season. Sigi Schmid's side are in penultimate position in the Western Conference and face an uphill task if they want to sneak into the playoffs. In that respect, a fifth US Open Cup title wouldn't be the worst of consolation prizes for the Sounders.

Still, as usually is the case in these type of matches, the crux of this tie will be just how serious Bruce Arena takes this match. To be frank, Arena has done an impressive job building a team with plenty of depth. You could understand if there was some sort of criticism if the Galaxy don't at least compete on Wednesday. It's not a do-or-die game, but it's certainly one the Galaxy don't want to lose.

LAST MEETING

Seattle Sounders 0-1 LA Galaxy - July 9, 2016 - MLS

Robbie Keane scored the only goal of the match as Brian Rowe kept his net at zero to earn the Galaxy a 1-0 win at the Sounders.

LIKELY LINE-UPS

LA Galaxy (4-4-2): Kennedy; Sorto, Steres, Leonardo, Romney; Lletget, Garcia, Larentowicz, Boateng; Magee, Gordon

Seattle Sounders (4-3-3): Miller; Fisher, Scott, Alfaro, Remick; Sturgis, Roldan, Friberg; Jones, Dempsey, Morris