Seattle Sounders are set to take on LAFC at Lumen Field in the Western Conference semifinals of MLS Cup playoffs.
Brian Schmetzer's side are coming off a round one series win over FC Dallas, as the series went to three games with the Sounders punching their ticket to the next round at home in game three.
Seattle are now tasked with taking on the reigning MLS Cup champions in LAFC, with the winner securing home field advantage for the next round as the Sounders are the number two seed while the Black and Gold occupy the number three seed.
"Both teams are going to come out with an intensity and make sure that this isn't their last game of the season," said Alex Roldan. "So, the stakes are very high."
Roldan, the brother of teammate Cristian, has been solid at right-back once again for the Sounders in 2023 and hopes to build upon his Sounders legacy with a statement win at home against LAFC.
"Coming from the Western Conference, these are the two top teams that everybody's looking at," he said. "And so, we're hoping to go out there and make sure that we advance."
Longtime Seattle forward Jordan Morris shared the same sentiment, as his teammates will need him to have his shooting boots on to help propel the team to victory.
"It's going to be a battle," said Morris. "We know what the rivalry means, so it's going be a fun [match]. All 11 guys on the field are going to need to do their part on the defensive side of the ball to shut down a team like this because they're really, really good going forward. And then it's just taking the opportunities when they present themselves in front of goal."
Should the Sounders come out on top Sunday night, they'd end up hosting the winner of Houston Dynamo vs Sporting Kansas City as they hold a higher seed in the playoffs.
The 2022 Concacaf Champions League winners and the Black and Gold clash for the third time in 2023 on November 26 at Lumen Field.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Alex Roldan: 'Stakes are very high' in conference semifinal with LAFC.
