The Seattle Sounders’ 2024 season ended with a 1-0 defeat to the LA Galaxy in the MLS Western Conference Final at Dignity Mercy Park. The Sounders executed a masterful defensive plan that kept the hottest team in the playoffs at bay for the first 84 minutes of the game.
INJURIES MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE STARTING LINEUP AND FORMATION
Without Yeimar and Reed Baker-Whiting, head coach Brian Schmetzer started with a traditional backline of four: Nouhou on the left and center backs Jackson Ragen, Nathan, and Alex Roldan on the right. Obed Vargas and Cristian Roldan manned the middle behind Georgi Minoungou on the left, Albert Rusnák, Pedro de la Vega on the right, and Jordan Morris up top. Stefan Frei stated in goal.
A PERFECT TACTICAL START
Schmetzer’s strategy was simple: Stay compact, be disciplined when defending, and be quick and decisive in transition. When in possession, make a forward pass within six seconds, get multiple players running forward, and be clinical in finishing. The strategy worked well for about 10 minutes. The Galaxy’s killers, P’s Riqui Puig, Joseph Paintsil, and Gabriel Pec, were kept off the ball and confused by the Sounder’s clogged and compact defense.
The Galaxy’s best spell of the half was between the 13th and 20th minute. In those seven minutes, the Sounders backline and midfield allowed the Galaxy to find space between the lines. Resolute defending by the backline blocked four Galaxy shots. The Galaxy’s best chance in the seven minutes was striker Dejan Joveljic’s half-volley strike that Frei swatted wide of the goal.
SOUNDERS REGAIN THEIR DEFENSIVE SHAPE
The Sounders took control of the game with resolute defending that closed the space between the lines. The compact defensive shape saw the Sounders get back in the game with precision passes from the backline to Cristian Roldan and Vargas, who found Minougou on the left side. The talented Ivorian long galloping runs down the left flank and generated several corners.
The corners were wasted because the Galaxy defense quickly cleared the low-driving kicks. The Sounder’s best chance of the half came in the 40th minute when a Rusnâk forced a save from Galaxy keeper John McCarthy. The halftime break saw a goalless draw, which favored the Sounders due to their resolute defending.
STARTING ON THE FRONT FOOT AND MISSING GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
The second half started with the Sounders on the front foot, with de la Vega galloping on the right flank, slicing through defenders, and laying off a perfect pass to space for an on-rushing Vargas. His right-footed shot, which was headed for goal, was blocked by Galaxy defender Carlos Garcés. The game opened up with both sides trading possession spells. The Sounder’s best chance of the night game was in the 61st minute when Morris laid an exquisite ball in the box to an onrushing Rusnǎck, who unleashed a shot right that went into the hands of McCarthy.
SOUNDERS RUN OF GAS
With the game winding down, the Galaxy dominated possession and forced the Sounders to retreat and defend in their half due to heavy legs. The sustained possession finally took its toll in the 84th minute when Alex Roldan’s ill-timed pass was intercepted by halftime sub-Marky Delgado, who flicked the ball to Puig. Puig’s slide rule pass fell to an onrushing Doveljic, whose right-footed strike beat a sprawling Frei for the game-winner.
BIG PICTURE
Schmetzer and his coaching staff had the right tactical plan to slow down Galaxy, and it almost worked. Defending the majority of playoff games will eventually take a physical. The defending team has to be clinical with the minimum chances it gets during the game. The Sounders had several chances and fell flat. The Sounders could not take advantage of their corner kick opportunities, which decreased their scoring chances. The injuries took their toll in the end, and the Sounders overachieved in the game and the season.
- Mariners’ Piggyback Strategy: A Game Analysis
- Mariners see a hopeful glimpse into the future with Colt Emerson
- Match Highlights: Sounders vs. LA Galaxy – 2-0 Loss Details
- Mariners forced to call up Colt Emerson ahead of schedule
- Sounders snap 22-game home unbeaten streak with 2-0 loss to LA Galaxy
Discover more from Cascadiasports.net
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
