A determined Seattle Sounders FC (6-0-3, 21pts) withstood an early goal deficit to remain MLS’s only undefeated team with a 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy (5-3-0, 15pts). The win snapped the Galaxy’s undefeated record at home. After the early deficit, Yeimar Gomez leveled the game just before the half and opportunistic strike Raul Ruidiaz scored the game-winner four minutes into the second half.
Injuries and National team call-ups forced head coach Brian Schmetzer to trot out another makeshift lineup. Recently promoted Abdoulaye Cissoko started at left-back for Nouhou who was away on international duty. Fredy Montero started upfront with Ruidiaz, a surprise omission from the Peruvian National team’s World Cup Qualifying games.
GALAXY START ON THE FRONT FOOT
With a capacity crowd in attendance, the Galaxy used the energy created by the drumming beating flag waiving boisterous crowd.
Despite missing link man Jonathan dos Santos the Galaxy was able to find space for marksman Javier Hernandez Chicarito to exploit. The former Mexican International was having his way in the Sounders goal box. The Rave Green played disciplined defense until the 20th minute. Midfielder Joao Paulo nudged Hernadez from behind when the striker received a pass in the Sounders goal box made a turn and simply took a dive. Galaxy midfielder Sacha Kljestan converted the spot-kick when sent Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland the wrong way and the Galaxy took the early 1-0 lead.
SOUNDERS CLAY WAY BACK INTO THE GAME
The Sounders showed some composure by staying focused on defense and making more intricate passes in the middle of the field. The extra possession time with the ball by the Sounders forced the Galaxy to play defense. Not a strength for the home side. The Sounders sustained possession bared fruit in the 41st minute. A perfectly placed corner kick by Joao Paulo found the head of a streaking Yeimar Gomez Andrade who headed the ball into the back of the Galaxy goal for the equalizer.
STRONG START TO SECOND HALF
The Sounders came out of the halftime break breathing fire and couldn’t wait to bet another go at the Galaxy. Head coach Brian Schmetzer’s adjustment of pushing up wingback Alex Roldan and Brad Smith paid immediate dividends. Three minutes into the second half Alex Roldan found space on the Sounders right side and passed the ball along with the Galaxy goal mouth to an open Andrade who flicked the ball to Cristina Roldan. Roldan’s point-blank shot was saved but striker Ruidiaz pounced on the ball and slotted home the game-winner.
SUSTAINED DISCIPLINE
The Sounders stayed disciplined in the rearguard and midfielder. Despite making a tactical adjustment to push wingbacks Roldan and Smith upfield the Rave Green stayed compact in the middle of the field and closed out the game for the gutsy win. More impressive was the Sounder’s ability to have the majority of possession in the seven minutes of stoppage time.
” While it overused in sports sometimes mental toughness is something our team showed tonight.” “Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said after the game.” It not just that we were mentally tough in the stoppage time, it was the things we did, ball possession and clear defending”
UP NEXT BRIAN SCHMETZER POST GAME
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