The Seattle Sounders turned on the style as they thumped Western Conference rivals Los Angeles FC 5-2 in Major League Soccer on Saturday.
The two clubs have been dominant forces in the West in recent years but Seattle, who beat LAFC in last year’s Conference semi-finals, ran away with the game in the second half at Lumen Field.
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, drafted out of college by Seattle and brought up from their reserve club Tacoma Defiance, opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a clinical finish after cutting in from the right.
LAFC pulled level seven minutes before half-time through homegrown forward Nathan Ordaz, who poked home from the close-range after a scramble.
But the Sounders got back in front through Paul Rothrock’s thundering drive from outside of the box in the 57th minute and Jordan Morris made it 3-1 with his 87th goal for the club making him Seattle’s all-time top scorer.
LAFC were ragged at the back and lacked punch in attack where former France international Olivier Giroud was once again ineffective.
A smart finish from Cristian Roldan made it 4-1 in the 84th minute before the visitors restored some pride in stoppage time thanks to a determined solo run and finish from David Martinez.
But there was still time for the Sounders to add one more with Albert Rusnak turning in a low cross from Georgi Minoungou to complete the rout.
Earlier Columbus Crew, the 2023 MLS champions, were held to a 0-0 draw at home to the Houston Dynamo.
Later on Saturday, Atlanta United host last season’s beaten-finalists the New York Red Bulls and the Vancouver Whitecaps take on Canadian rivals Montreal.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami are at home to Charlotte on Sunday.
