SEATTLE – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides his Three Points following the Galaxy’s 3-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC. Gyasi Zardes, Landon Donovan and Stefan Ishizaki all scored in the Galaxy victory.
GALAXY PILE IT ON EARLY IN THE FIRST HALF
Whether it was fueled by a frustrating loss to Sporting Kansas City or a 7-0 defeat to Manchester United in midweek, the LA Galaxy came out inspired in the first half of their 3-0 victory over league-leaders Seattle Sounders FC.
The Galaxy needed just eight minutes to take the lead as Marcelo Sarvas fed Landon Donovan who unselfishly laid it off to Gyasi Zardes for his seventh goal of the season. Sarvas was involved yet again 10 minutes later when he launched a shot from beyond the penalty area that was saved by Seattle ‘keeper Stefan Frei that fell perfectly for Landon Donovan who easily played it into the empty net. In the 36th minute, Donovan and Sarvas teamed up once more to feed Stefan Ishizaki for the Swede’s third goal of the season.
With Seattle shell-shocked, the Galaxy continued to dominate and were unlucky not to find the net again in the closing moments of the half when Zardes had two attempts saved from close range by Frei.
DEFENSE STABLE IN SEEING OUT THE GAME
Bolstered by the return of Omar Gonzalez and Robbie Rogers from injury and Dan Gargan from suspension—as well as three first half goals— the LA Galaxy defense was rock solid in their win over the Sounders.
Throughout the match, the center back tandem of Gonzalez and A.J. DeLaGarza were able to match the intensity and movement of Seattle strikers Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins and limit any opportunities the pair had on the ball. When Seattle attempted to go down the flank, both Rogers and Gargan cleaned up the trouble as they repeatedly tracked back to snuff out any of Seattle’s thrusts up field—particularly when the Sounders controlled possession late in the game.
The success of the back four meant that goalkeeper Jaime Penedo saw limited action. When he was tested, he was up to the task, especially when making a diving stop off a Clint Dempsey chance in the 58th minute and a palm save on a Michael Azira blast from distance in the 87th minute.
THE RETURN OF THE GALAXY?
The LA Galaxy’s 2014 campaign has been missing that signature victory against a top club, but on Monday, it appears that at long last, they got their win.
From the get-go, the Galaxy sought to pressure Seattle in the center of the park as they routinely scooped up second balls while hassling Seattle’s midfield. This pressure allowed Sarvas to influence the game as the Brazilian had a hand in all three Galaxy goals. While the offense took care of business on the attacking end, LA’s defense, anchored by the “championship” tandem of DeLaGarza and Gonzalez, limited Seattle’s chances and sealed the victory.
With Gonzalez and DeLaGarza marshalling the defense and the offense clicking, the Galaxy are set for a march up the table as they continue their campaign during the stretch run.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
