Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy – Playoff Game Recap
In an intense game last night, both Major League Soccer Western sides blasted off at each other’s goals and were seemed determined to win and advance to the MLS Playoff semifinals.
After a wild opening to the match, where four goals were scored in the first 22 minutes of the night, it was hosts Seattle Sounders SC that came up with the victory, sending visitors LA Galaxy home without a ticket to the MLS semifinals.
Seattle’s Clint Dempsey scored an early opener, with LA’s defender Omar Gonzalez ran towards a ball in Galaxy’s box, into the path of keeper Donovan Ricketts. The ball came straight to Dempsey who scored in front of an open goal from the penalty spot (5’).
Seattle Sounders 1 – 0 LA Galaxy
The visitors’ reply came less than a minute later, with Giovanni Dos Santos curling a ball from the left into the box. Gyasi Zardes received the ball and passed through Seattle defenders, but unselfishly left the ball for Sebastian Lletget who was better positioned to score the equalizer (6’).
Seattle Sounders 1 – 1 LA Galaxy
Seattle Sounders reclaimed the lead when Nelson Valdez cleverly positioned himself behind Galaxy’s defense inside LA’s box. He managed to slide and tuck in a ball that came from afar from teammate Andreas Ivanschitz’s free kick (12’).
Seattle Sounders 2 – 1 LA Galaxy
Ten minutes later, visitor’s Gyasi Zardes got his own chance to score, taking a ball that was deflected off Seattle’s Nelson Valdez, and scoring a beautiful equalizer from the ten-yard line (22’).
Seattle Sounders 2 – 2 LA Galaxy
The match continued with both teams fighting, applying pressure and create opportunities for the third point, none of which materialized throughout the rest of the first half, and the draw stood firm for much of the second half as well.
The tie finally broke late into the second half, when LA’s Leonardo tried to clear a ball away from goal with a header.
Seattle’s Erik Friberg got the ball outside of the box, and shot a great curled ball from the ten-yard line, giving Seattle Sounders SC the win, and sending LA galaxy to rest until the next Major League Soccer Season.
Seattle Sounders 3 – 2 LA Galaxy
