The Seattle Sounders are visiting the LA Galaxy on Wednesday (7:45 p.m. PT; Watch on Univision, Apple TV+ or MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, 93.3 KJR FM, 1360 El Rey) in the Leagues Cup Semifinals. The Leagues Cup Final and Third Place match will both take place on Sunday, Aug. 31.
Let’s take a look at what’s at stake this week:
2026 Concacaf Champions Cup
Three teams from this year’s edition of the Leagues Cup will earn automatic qualification in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, with the winner receiving a direct path to the Round of 16. Both Leagues Cup finalists as well as the winner of the Third Place match will earn those three bids. A Sounders win against the Galaxy in the semis on Wednesday would guarantee Seattle’s place in next year’s premier regional tournament. The Sounders are already the only modern MLS side to achieve continental glory, and admission back into the CCC would give them a chance to become the only team to win it twice.
FIFA Club World Cup
Qualifying for the CCC means another opportunity for the Sounders to potentially reach another FIFA Club World Cup. Seattle is still riding the high of this summer’s incredible foray into the larger global field, playing against some of the world’s best teams in Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid and Botafogo. Getting back to the CCC unlocks the pathway for the Sounders to replicate that experience.
Last trophy remaining
Since entering MLS in 2009, the Sounders have taken home every available trophy except for one: Leagues Cup. Winners of four U.S. Open Cups, two MLS Cups, a Supporters’ Shield and a Concacaf Champions Cup, a win over LA on Wednesday can put Seattle one win away from filling up its trophy cabinet. The Sounders had one previous opportunity at Leagues Cup glory when they lost in the 2021 final to Mexico’s Club León.
Hosting priority
The Sounders would host the Leagues Cup Final this weekend against the winner of Inter Miami and Orlando City because of their first-place finish in the MLS table. That means a certain Lionel Messi & Friends could be heading to Lumen Field to take on the Sounders with a title on the line.
