Photo courtesy SoundersFC.com

The Galaxy have a chance to clinch a playoff berth this Sunday at CenturyLink Field against the Seattle Sounders (6:30 p.m., FOX Sports 1). On Wednesday, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena and defender A.J. DeLaGarza both noted the difficulty of playing on CenturyLink Field’s artificial turf.

As the defending MLS Cup Champions prepare for their first trip to CenturyLink Field this season, understand the science of how turf changes the game in this ESPN Sports Science clip:

The turf vs. grass controversy was a huge topic for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup as player safety and health were called into question for the tournament.

The Galaxy, whose road struggles in the past few years have been well documented, have had a fair amount of success at Seattle. Since the Sounders played their first MLS game in 2009, the Galaxy have a 5-4-2 record in CenturyLink Field (or what used to be called Qwest Field). One of those losses really turned out to be a win though because Juninho’s wonderstrike in the second leg of the 2014 Western Conference finals sent the Galaxy to the MLS Cup on the away goals rule, despite the 2-1 loss in the game.