by
A rematch of the Western Conference semifinals matchup between the Seattle Sounders and LAFC is set to take place this weekend. The setting will be different, however, as it is Seattle’s turn to do the hosting. The Sounders will lean on their home advantage to avoid a 3-game winless streak to start the new season. Read on for an expert Seattle Sounders vs LAFC prediction and explore stats and a breakdown of MLS best bets for this weekend.
- Major League Soccer
- Seattle Sounders FC vs Los Angeles FC
- Saturday, March 8, 2025
- 4:45 PM EST
- Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
- MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+
MLS Best Bets: Seattle Sounders vs LAFC Odds
Seattle Sounders are the favorites despite a 5-point gap on the table after just a couple of games played. Home advantage is a strong factor in the MLS, hence Seattle’s price tag on the moneyline of (+110). LAFC bettors faithful in a 3-match winning streak can earn a handsome payout of (+258). A draw is lined at (+255).
MLS 
Seattle Sounders +108 +110 +110 LAFC +258 +240 +240 Draw +245 +255 +255
Want to better understand the 3-way moneyline (1X2) market? See our soccer betting tips and learn about the best MLS betting sites.
Seattle Sounders Look to Improve in 2025
Off the heels of a trip to the Western Conference Final where they fell to the eventual MLS Cup Champions LA Galaxy by a score of 1-0, the Seattle Sounders have high hopes in 2025. The club will have plenty of chances to earn silverware in the new calendar year. Seattle remains in the hunt for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, competing in the first leg of the Round of 16 against Cruz Azul on Wednesday. They will also make their inaugural entry into the FIFA Club World Cup after winning the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League.
Beyond those competitions are opportunities to win trophies in the MLS via the MLS Cup Playoffs and the regular season and in the Leagues Cup, a summer tournament pitting Liga MX clubs against MLS sides on American soil. Seattle Sounders GM Craig Waibel has kept things simple in the offseason, with just a pair of new additions in Jesus Ferreira and Paul Arriola from FC Dallas. The American international Ferreira will look to make his presence known in the attack for Seattle, a dimension that the Sounders struggled with in 2024.
Seattle’s defense looks rock solid yet again. Cristian Roldan, Pedro de la Vega, Yeimar Gomez and Jackson Ragen form a formidable backline that could be one of the best in the country if they remain healthy. They were the best in the MLS last season in terms of goals allowed.
Manager Brian Schmetzer may elect to roll out a 3-5-2 formation, a personal favorite of mine. The tactical choice offers plenty of flexibility with the potential for potent counter-attacks, but puts a ton of pressure on the wing backs to run back and forth all game.
LAFC Trying to Forget Disappointing 2024 Season
LAFC were oh so close to winning the Leagues Cup, losing to their archrivals Columbus Crew in the Final. After an exciting final day of the regular season saw LAFC elevated to the number one seed, the club collapsed in the Conference Semifinal. LAFC lost at home after extra time to the Seattle Sounders in a one-leg playoff.
The one triumph from 2024 was their victory in the U.S. Open Cup, but even that trophy has an asterisk attached to it. Once known as the most prestigious knockout tournament in American soccer, the competition has taken a back step to cups with more money involved. Many top-tier MLS sides opted out of competing in the U.S. Open Cup to avoid congested schedules as they participated in the Leagues Cup. Those decisions irked many supporters’ clubs, some of whom boycotted attending their teams’ Leagues Cup matches.
All expectations aside, LAFC has been a resounding success after joining MLS as an expansion side in 2018. With plenty of celebrities in the stands and in the boxes (Will Ferrell is a minority stake owner), LAFC has garnered a reputation for being one of the elite clubs in the division. The City of Angels has attracted big-name stars like Olivier Giroud, Hugo Lloris, and possibly even Antoine Greizmann this summer.
Mateusz Bogusz’s departure to Mexican side Cruz Azul is a sore loss for the club, whose goal contributions were second only to star Denis Bouanga. But they still have plenty of firepower to consider themselves one of the favorites to win the MLS Cup in 2025. And after finishing first in the West last season, they earned qualification to the Champions Cup as well. Like Seattle Sounders, expectations are set high for this club in the coming year.
MLS Best Bets: Seattle Sounders vs LAFC Prediction
LAFC kicked things off in 2025 with back-to-back victories, albeit squeaking by 1-0 in both. That gives them 6 points and a tie atop the Western Conference table. The Seattle Sounders have not enjoyed such early success. A lackluster draw to Charlotte in their first match preceded a 2-0 defeat to Real Salt Lake on the road. Now the club feels it must earn a victory to avoid a nightmare start, and against the reigning Western Conference champions no less.
What so often marked Seattle’s home games was a 0 on the scoreboard. That was the amount of goals the visitors would score, an outcome that occurred eight times in their 17 home games last season. Both clubs have scored just twice so far in their two games, and LAFC has yet to concede a goal in 2025.
I think the obvious play here is on the total. Backing unders in Seattle Sounders’ home games became a profitable hobby of mine last year, and I intend to do the same again. This line has already moved a lot, but I still see plenty of value. Both clubs are playing in the Champions Cup this week and will enter Lumen Field with tired legs.
My projections indicate the total of 2.5 goals should be shaded towards the under at a line of (-154), but Bovada is offering (-125). That is plenty of value on its own and justifies a healthy wager on what will hopefully be a low-scoring game. Go with under 2.5 goals at (-135) or better.
Odds are accurate at time of writing but subject to change.
Top Sportsbooks for MLS Best Bets
Explore some of the best sportsbooks for online betting below. Each website is reviewed by My Top Sportsbooks for user experience, customer service, new member promos, and more.
Sports Betting Sites 