LAFC easily dispatched with the reigning MLS champion Seattle Sounders side on Monday night, notching a 4-1 rout to advance to the quarterfinals.
Even without star striker and 2019 league MVP Carlos Vela — who stayed home from the tournament to be with his pregnant wife — LAFC has been virtually unstoppable on the attack all tournament.
Striker Diego Rossi stepped up in Vela’s absence, scoring his sixth and seventh goals of the tournament against Seattle. The potent LAFC offense will provide a new challenge for Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and his backline.
Monday night’s match marked a turning point for LAFC as the team struck a balance between offense and defense for the first time in the tournament.