Three Points: LA Galaxy battle to 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC

CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides his Three Points to the club’s 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC. Alan Gordon scored the lone goal for the Galaxy.


JAIME PENEDO DIVINE IN SHUTOUT

Jaime Penedo earned his moniker San Penedo on Sunday as the Panamanian put forth a divine performance in the LA Galaxy’s 1-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC.

Simply a magnet all game, Penedo made 10 saves on the evening to keep Seattle at bay. Jaime Penedo set an MLS career-high in stops, but fell just one save shy of breaking the LA Galaxy club record which was set by Kevin Hartman on August 20, 2003.   


Each of Penedo’s 10 saves was a peach, but his finest effort came in the 53rd minute when he made a quick reaction stop of an Andy Rose chance from close range to keep the shutout.


ALAN GORDON SCORES IN 200TH MLS APPEARANCE

Alan Gordon made sure that he made his 200th career appearance a memorable one as he scored the game-winner to give the Galaxy their second victory of the 2015 season.


With Robbie Keane out due to a groin strain, Gordon provided a necessary attacking presence, as he was a handful for the Sounders backline throughout the match. The 32-year-old was rewarded in the 23rd minute when he nodded a cross by Omar Gonzalez past Stefan Frei for the Galaxy’s lone goal of the game.



In true “bashtag” fashion, Gordon was brutalized all game by Sounders defenders—and, at times, errant shots by his own teammates—but stayed strong over the full 90 minutes. 


RAFAEL GARCIA STATES HIS CASE TO PLAY IN THE MIDFIELD

Making his first MLS start in two years, Rafael Garcia put forth a commanding performance in the center of the park for the LA Galaxy in their 1-0 win against Seattle.


Stationed alongside Juninho, Garcia stymied the Sounders midfield as his hard-nosed play prevented Seattle from creating anything down the center. With Garcia winning balls deep in Seattle’s end, the Galaxy were able to utilize their numerical advantage in midfield to push forward and test the Sounders on the counter, much like Vancouver did against LA a week earlier. 


Even if Garcia does not get the start against Sporting KC next week, the 26-year-old showed that the Galaxy midfield will be in safe hands when he returns to the lineup.


Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com