Match 8: LA Galaxy Preview
Sounders FC welcome their fifth opponent at Qwest Field on Sunday as the LA Galaxy (1-1-5, 8pts, West: 6th) make the trip north on a short week to face Seattle. [Buy Tickets from Season Ticket Holders]
After a midweek draw on the road in Salt Lake which saw 3 stoppage time goals, the Galaxy prepare the second place team in the Western Conference.
Historically, even though this may be the first meeting bewtween the two MLS clubs, there is a history. LA defeated Seattle, then of the A-League (now USL First Division), in the Third Round of the 2000 U.S. Open Cup and in the Quarterfinals of the Open Cup in 2003, claiming 2-1 and 5-1 wins respectively. Additionally, the Galaxy beat the Sounders’ PDL team, the Seattle Sounders Select, in the Third Round of the 2001 Open Cup by a score of 3-1.
Led by Kasey Keller in goal (0.19 GAA), Sounders FC will attempt to shut down one of the League’s most explosive players in Landon Donovan who is tied for the League Lead in goals scored with 5 (three have been on penalty kicks). Donovan also has 3 assists to his credit.
The Galaxy will need to remain composed in front of the loud Qwest Field crowd which will be armed with 18,000 sets of “Thundersticks” (gee, thanks Samsung), and they will need to bury their chances if they want to earn points from an opponent with the second-lowest goals-allowed total (4) in MLS.
LA is playing a 4-4-2 lineup that should look something like…
Edson Buddle — Landon Donovan
Chris Klein — Dema Kovalenko — Stefani Miglioranzi — Eddie Lewis
Sean Franklin — Gregg Berhalter — Omar Gonzalez — Todd Dunivant
Donovan Ricketts
The Galaxy have given up 9 goals in their 7 matches so far (1.29 gpg), but have given up the same number of goals.
From the Rave Green perspective, Sounders FC will be without Fredy Montero as he will be serving his one game suspension for his red card in the Chicago Fire match last Saturday. There’s a good chance that Sebastien LeToux will be in the starting lineup to pair up with target forward Nate Jaqua.
Kickoff is slated for 12Noon on Sunday (that’s Mother’s Day, in case you forgot).
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