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| MLS playoffs: Seattle Sounders 3-2 LA Galaxy – as it happened | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.28am GMT04:28 | |
| Final thoughts: | |
| The Galaxy really only have themselves to blame. The Portland loss in the penultimate regular season game, then the loss in Kansas City on the final day, left them in this situation facing a difficult one-off game in Seattle. And once there, the errors that had plagued them in the second half of the season were still there and enough to hand a not particularly convincing Seattle team a 3-2 victory. They’ll head to the off-season looking for a goalkeeper, and on tonight’s performance, more than one defender. And they also need a long, hard think about what to do with Steven Gerrard. | |
| Seattle move on, but will need to do better in the forthcoming games than they did at times against an accommodating LA Galaxy defense. Dempsey got his goal but doesn’t look back to his sharpest, and the telepathic understanding with Martins just wasn’t there. Evans was his usual lively self when pushed out wide, Ivanschitz was all over the field, and Martins had some good touches, but for a team that scored three goals they missed the coherence that comes when Alonso is on the field holding things together. You suspect they need him back for a deep run. | |
| For tonight though, Seattle are through against LA for the first time in an MLS playoff. Portland host Sporting KC tomorrow in the other knockout game. We could have three Cascadia teams in the conference semi-finals, as Vancouver await, along with Western champions Dallas. | |
| Anyway, it’s been an exciting start to the knockout rounds with D.C. and now Seattle advancing amid some sublime goals and some profane defending. Thanks for joining me tonight. Hope you’ll continue to join me as the playoffs progress. Good night. | |
| 4.18am GMT04:18 | |
| FINAL SCORE: SEATTLE 3-2 LA GALAXY | |
| One last attempted ball into the box from LA. It’s booted into touch and that will be that. The champions are out! Final thoughts in a moment. | |
| 4.16am GMT04:16 | |
| 90 mins+3: Frei picks up the obligatory yellow card for timewasting on the goal kick. He won’t mind. | |
| 4.15am GMT04:15 | |
| 90 mins+2: Evans is down in some pain after sprinting back to try and chase down Keane. He’s clutching his leg in a manner that suggests he might have a hamstring problem. He limps off for treatment as LA prepare to take the corner, which clears every white shirt and runs for a goal kick. | |
| 4.14am GMT04:14 | 4.14am GMT04:14 |
| 90 mins+1: We’ll have 3 minutes added on. Ball in LA’s half right now. | 90 mins+1: We’ll have 3 minutes added on. Ball in LA’s half right now. |
| 4.13am GMT04:13 | 4.13am GMT04:13 |
| 90 mins: Another long ball intended for Gordon only ends up gifting Seattle a free kick as the big striker flattens Scott. Into the final moment of normal time now and Roldan is running the ball into the corner. | 90 mins: Another long ball intended for Gordon only ends up gifting Seattle a free kick as the big striker flattens Scott. Into the final moment of normal time now and Roldan is running the ball into the corner. |
| 4.11am GMT04:11 | 4.11am GMT04:11 |
| 88 mins: LA making no pretense of patient build-up any more as they hurry forward, and now Rogers is fouled wide left to give them a chance at the set piece. Gordon gets across his marker Evans to greet the free kick, but his header is wide. | 88 mins: LA making no pretense of patient build-up any more as they hurry forward, and now Rogers is fouled wide left to give them a chance at the set piece. Gordon gets across his marker Evans to greet the free kick, but his header is wide. |
| Schmid brings on Roldan for Ivanschitz to eat up the clock a little. | Schmid brings on Roldan for Ivanschitz to eat up the clock a little. |
| 4.09am GMT04:09 | 4.09am GMT04:09 |
| 86 mins: Seattle sitting in and trying to hold on for the win now, which should make for a frantic climax to this game. Leonardo floats a deep cross in and Gordon gets up to head it down, but straight to Frei rather to one of his team mates. | 86 mins: Seattle sitting in and trying to hold on for the win now, which should make for a frantic climax to this game. Leonardo floats a deep cross in and Gordon gets up to head it down, but straight to Frei rather to one of his team mates. |
| 4.08am GMT04:08 | 4.08am GMT04:08 |
| 84 mins: Great save from Frei! Gerrard found a cute pass to pick out Zardes in space on the left of the box, and the young striker had time to set himself and drive a shot goalwards, but Frei was able to dive and parry it. Just a flicker of worry for Seattle, and another one now as Dos Santos hits a shot just outside the right post, though it didn’t have much power on it. | 84 mins: Great save from Frei! Gerrard found a cute pass to pick out Zardes in space on the left of the box, and the young striker had time to set himself and drive a shot goalwards, but Frei was able to dive and parry it. Just a flicker of worry for Seattle, and another one now as Dos Santos hits a shot just outside the right post, though it didn’t have much power on it. |
| They’ll think they can get another look though, especially with Gordon now on the field for DeLaGarza, as LA go for it. | They’ll think they can get another look though, especially with Gordon now on the field for DeLaGarza, as LA go for it. |
| 4.05am GMT04:05 | 4.05am GMT04:05 |
| 82 mins: Into the last ten minutes and you have to wonder when we’re going to see the blunt force option of Alan Gordon being hurled into the mix as LA chase a goal. | 82 mins: Into the last ten minutes and you have to wonder when we’re going to see the blunt force option of Alan Gordon being hurled into the mix as LA chase a goal. |
| Galaxy still trying to build up patiently for now, but...yes, Gordon is up on the sidelines... | Galaxy still trying to build up patiently for now, but...yes, Gordon is up on the sidelines... |
| 4.03am GMT04:03 | 4.03am GMT04:03 |
| 80 mins: Wonderful running and beautifully disguised reverse pass from Dos Santos finds a clearly offside Gerrard, who turns and shoots half-heartedly, clearly knowing he stepped behind the defense too soon. He’s not been terrible, but he’s been...ordinary. LA need more than that right now. | 80 mins: Wonderful running and beautifully disguised reverse pass from Dos Santos finds a clearly offside Gerrard, who turns and shoots half-heartedly, clearly knowing he stepped behind the defense too soon. He’s not been terrible, but he’s been...ordinary. LA need more than that right now. |
| 4.01am GMT04:01 | 4.01am GMT04:01 |
| 78 mins: Dos Santos sends a cross deep to the back post but Evans is able to head it clear comfortably. As Seattle break Ivanschitz is challenged awkwardly by Husidic, who picks up a yellow card as his first action after entering the game. | 78 mins: Dos Santos sends a cross deep to the back post but Evans is able to head it clear comfortably. As Seattle break Ivanschitz is challenged awkwardly by Husidic, who picks up a yellow card as his first action after entering the game. |
| 3.59am GMT03:59 | 3.59am GMT03:59 |
| 76 mins: So around quarter of an hour for the defending champions to save their season and avoid a first ever playoff defeat to the Sounders. Valdez coming off for the former LA striker Barrett now. Schmid clearly thinks attack is the best form of defense. | 76 mins: So around quarter of an hour for the defending champions to save their season and avoid a first ever playoff defeat to the Sounders. Valdez coming off for the former LA striker Barrett now. Schmid clearly thinks attack is the best form of defense. |
| Now Husidic comes on for Lletget as Bruce Arena tries to find a response. | Now Husidic comes on for Lletget as Bruce Arena tries to find a response. |
| 3.57am GMT03:57 | 3.57am GMT03:57 |
| GOAL! SEATTLE 3-2 LA GALAXY (FRIBERG!) | GOAL! SEATTLE 3-2 LA GALAXY (FRIBERG!) |
| DeLaGarza and Leonardo make poor defensive headers with Ricketts stranded again, and as the ball loops to the edge of the box, Erik Friberg hammers a goal out of nothing to restore Seattle’s lead for the third time! | DeLaGarza and Leonardo make poor defensive headers with Ricketts stranded again, and as the ball loops to the edge of the box, Erik Friberg hammers a goal out of nothing to restore Seattle’s lead for the third time! |
| 3.55am GMT03:55 | 3.55am GMT03:55 |
| 72 mins: That Gerrard clearance was hooked away facing his own goal and with every likelihood of him finding the roof of his own net rather than touch. But he had to make the attempt to get there and did, under pressure. | 72 mins: That Gerrard clearance was hooked away facing his own goal and with every likelihood of him finding the roof of his own net rather than touch. But he had to make the attempt to get there and did, under pressure. |
| 3.54am GMT03:54 | 3.54am GMT03:54 |
| 70 mins: Mears gets forward on the overlap and forces a corner off Rogers. It pinballs around in the LA box and LA half get it clear, but Seattle regain the ball and then suddenly Gerrard has to make a fantastic clearance from almost under his own bar, as the ball flashes across the box with two green shirts lurking either side of him. | 70 mins: Mears gets forward on the overlap and forces a corner off Rogers. It pinballs around in the LA box and LA half get it clear, but Seattle regain the ball and then suddenly Gerrard has to make a fantastic clearance from almost under his own bar, as the ball flashes across the box with two green shirts lurking either side of him. |
| Home crowd beginning to pick up energy again at these developments. | Home crowd beginning to pick up energy again at these developments. |
| 3.51am GMT03:51 | 3.51am GMT03:51 |
| 68 mins: Martins too, is dropping deeper in the second half, and finds himself wide left trying to improvize a cross, which is hoofed clear by Gonzalez. Martins tries again and this time Seattle earn a corner from Gonzalez, which Juninho heads clear. | 68 mins: Martins too, is dropping deeper in the second half, and finds himself wide left trying to improvize a cross, which is hoofed clear by Gonzalez. Martins tries again and this time Seattle earn a corner from Gonzalez, which Juninho heads clear. |
| 3.49am GMT03:49 | 3.49am GMT03:49 |
| 66 mins: Keane’s been coming deeper in the second half, with Gerrard pushing even higher, but neither man’s been able to make anything happen. | 66 mins: Keane’s been coming deeper in the second half, with Gerrard pushing even higher, but neither man’s been able to make anything happen. |
| Now a half-chance for Seattle as Ivanschitz tries to race clear into the box. He gets a shot off, but it’s a tired looking one and Ricketts is able to gather at the second attempt. | Now a half-chance for Seattle as Ivanschitz tries to race clear into the box. He gets a shot off, but it’s a tired looking one and Ricketts is able to gather at the second attempt. |
| 3.47am GMT03:47 | 3.47am GMT03:47 |
| 64 mins: LA’s turn to try and pick things up again, but again their attempt at possession breaks down. So does Seattle’s mind you. It was always going to be something of a comedown after the start to the first half, but this is very cagey from both teams right now. On current showing an error could decide it. | 64 mins: LA’s turn to try and pick things up again, but again their attempt at possession breaks down. So does Seattle’s mind you. It was always going to be something of a comedown after the start to the first half, but this is very cagey from both teams right now. On current showing an error could decide it. |
| 3.45am GMT03:45 | 3.45am GMT03:45 |
| 62 mins: Evans playing aggressively in trying to get forward down the left for Seattle but yet to produce any end product from his forays. DeLAGarza gets the better of him in this one. | 62 mins: Evans playing aggressively in trying to get forward down the left for Seattle but yet to produce any end product from his forays. DeLAGarza gets the better of him in this one. |
| Game just in a bit of a lull right now. | Game just in a bit of a lull right now. |
| 3.43am GMT03:43 | 3.43am GMT03:43 |
| 60 mins: Evans forces some space for himself on the left but again, as the ball gets closer to the LA goal, Seattle just showing a lack of invention at the moment to make something happen and Ricketts’ goal is not seriously threatened. | 60 mins: Evans forces some space for himself on the left but again, as the ball gets closer to the LA goal, Seattle just showing a lack of invention at the moment to make something happen and Ricketts’ goal is not seriously threatened. |
| At the other end Dos Santos takes a rather poor shot that goes wide, and we reach the hour with the score till 2-2. | At the other end Dos Santos takes a rather poor shot that goes wide, and we reach the hour with the score till 2-2. |
| 3.41am GMT03:41 | 3.41am GMT03:41 |
| 58 mins: Seattle trying their version of patient build-up now, but it’s nearly all a long way from LA’s goal, until eventually Mears’ deep cross to the back post is picked up by Ricketts. | 58 mins: Seattle trying their version of patient build-up now, but it’s nearly all a long way from LA’s goal, until eventually Mears’ deep cross to the back post is picked up by Ricketts. |
| 3.39am GMT03:39 | 3.39am GMT03:39 |
| 56 mins: More patient build up play from the Galaxy ends up with Zardes being found at the back post and squaring a ball along the six yard box, where Dos Santos is briefly in space — but the ball runs tantalizingly close behind him. | 56 mins: More patient build up play from the Galaxy ends up with Zardes being found at the back post and squaring a ball along the six yard box, where Dos Santos is briefly in space — but the ball runs tantalizingly close behind him. |
| 3.37am GMT03:37 | 3.37am GMT03:37 |
| 54 mins: ...corner is worked short and Dos Santos tries to make an angle for a curling shot near the corner of the box. He tries one but it’s always floating high and wide. LA just easing back into the game again though. | 54 mins: ...corner is worked short and Dos Santos tries to make an angle for a curling shot near the corner of the box. He tries one but it’s always floating high and wide. LA just easing back into the game again though. |
| Another pause for an injury. Ivanschitz. Definitely Ivanschitz this time. He’s wincing, but looks to be back on his feet after some treatment. | Another pause for an injury. Ivanschitz. Definitely Ivanschitz this time. He’s wincing, but looks to be back on his feet after some treatment. |
| 3.35am GMT03:35 | 3.35am GMT03:35 |
| 52 mins: Couple of scrappy fouls on either side near the halfway line halt the early Seattle momentum, and now LA come forward and earn a corner... | 52 mins: Couple of scrappy fouls on either side near the halfway line halt the early Seattle momentum, and now LA come forward and earn a corner... |
| 3.33am GMT03:33 | 3.33am GMT03:33 |
| 50 mins: Ricketts does his reputation some good now, by diving to his left to push away a powerful looking Dempsey header from near the penalty spot. Dempsey really whipped that. | 50 mins: Ricketts does his reputation some good now, by diving to his left to push away a powerful looking Dempsey header from near the penalty spot. Dempsey really whipped that. |
| Now Martins works some space in the box, but can only lift his left foot shot over the bar. Good start to the half from Seattle though. | Now Martins works some space in the box, but can only lift his left foot shot over the bar. Good start to the half from Seattle though. |
| 3.31am GMT03:31 | 3.31am GMT03:31 |
| 48 mins: Seattle start the second half with some rather aimless possession well away from the LA goal. Then Martins comes deep to pick up the ball, hold off three markers and spray the ball wide for Evans. His low cross is blocked for a corner. It comes deep and Dempsey’s resulting hooked shot was always bouncing wide. | 48 mins: Seattle start the second half with some rather aimless possession well away from the LA goal. Then Martins comes deep to pick up the ball, hold off three markers and spray the ball wide for Evans. His low cross is blocked for a corner. It comes deep and Dempsey’s resulting hooked shot was always bouncing wide. |
| 3.28am GMT03:28 | 3.28am GMT03:28 |
| Second half kicks off | Second half kicks off |
| We’re off again...buckle in. | We’re off again...buckle in. |
| 3.24am GMT03:24 | 3.24am GMT03:24 |
| This about sums it up | This about sums it up |
| #LAGalaxy vs. #SeattleSounders halftime recap #LAvSEA pic.twitter.com/y6G2jjHZyb | #LAGalaxy vs. #SeattleSounders halftime recap #LAvSEA pic.twitter.com/y6G2jjHZyb |
| 3.23am GMT03:23 | 3.23am GMT03:23 |
| Here’s Dempsey’s opening goal | Here’s Dempsey’s opening goal |
| This feels like so long ago. Dempsey's opener. #MLSCupPlayoffs #SEAvLA https://t.co/YZ3ypNLYyV | This feels like so long ago. Dempsey's opener. #MLSCupPlayoffs #SEAvLA https://t.co/YZ3ypNLYyV |
| 3.20am GMT03:20 | 3.20am GMT03:20 |
| Half-time thoughts | Half-time thoughts |
| Well that was entertaining. 4 goals in a wild opening and a game that could truly go either way in the second half. You suspect, from the way that the half unfolded that the Galaxy might hold the key to this game — can they find another piece of individual skill to nose ahead in this game, or will they produce yet another defensive error to allow Seattle through? | Well that was entertaining. 4 goals in a wild opening and a game that could truly go either way in the second half. You suspect, from the way that the half unfolded that the Galaxy might hold the key to this game — can they find another piece of individual skill to nose ahead in this game, or will they produce yet another defensive error to allow Seattle through? |
| Seattle have been decent enough in attack at times, without looking as if they’ve liberated Dempsey and Martins to truly cause havoc, and their defense has been less noticeably poor than the Galaxy’s — but it’s also up against a more varied and potent attack, with Keane in particular looking his usual menacing self. | Seattle have been decent enough in attack at times, without looking as if they’ve liberated Dempsey and Martins to truly cause havoc, and their defense has been less noticeably poor than the Galaxy’s — but it’s also up against a more varied and potent attack, with Keane in particular looking his usual menacing self. |
| Really though, it looks like a question of whether Ricketts and the four men in front of him turn out to be more damaging to their team’s hopes than the absence of Ossie Alonso proves to be for his. Damage control all round. | Really though, it looks like a question of whether Ricketts and the four men in front of him turn out to be more damaging to their team’s hopes than the absence of Ossie Alonso proves to be for his. Damage control all round. |
| Back in a few... | Back in a few... |
| 3.20am GMT03:20 | 3.20am GMT03:20 |
| HALF-TIME: SEATTLE 2-2 LA GALAXY | HALF-TIME: SEATTLE 2-2 LA GALAXY |
| Half-time thoughts in a moment | Half-time thoughts in a moment |
| 3.12am GMT03:12 | 3.12am GMT03:12 |
| 45 mins +1: Boos around the stadium again as Evans is apparently bundled over on the left of the box by Juninho, but no foul is awarded and that will be that for the half... | 45 mins +1: Boos around the stadium again as Evans is apparently bundled over on the left of the box by Juninho, but no foul is awarded and that will be that for the half... |
| 3.11am GMT03:11 | 3.11am GMT03:11 |
| 44 mins: Seattle pressing forward again as half-time approaches and an outswinging cross from Mears finds Valdes, but he can only glance a header wide with little power. | 44 mins: Seattle pressing forward again as half-time approaches and an outswinging cross from Mears finds Valdes, but he can only glance a header wide with little power. |
| Now Gonzalez fouls Martins and picks up a yellow after absolutely clattering the Seattle forward. From the free-kick Marshall floats the second ball back in and Ricketts claims a routine catch — though given the way he started the game you might suggest that there are no routine catches for him in this match. | Now Gonzalez fouls Martins and picks up a yellow after absolutely clattering the Seattle forward. From the free-kick Marshall floats the second ball back in and Ricketts claims a routine catch — though given the way he started the game you might suggest that there are no routine catches for him in this match. |
| 3.08am GMT03:08 | 3.08am GMT03:08 |
| 42 mins: LA keeping the ball and switching flanks to try and stretch Seattle — and themselves for that matter (they were a little narrow earlier in the game). | 42 mins: LA keeping the ball and switching flanks to try and stretch Seattle — and themselves for that matter (they were a little narrow earlier in the game). |
| Seattle now briefly cause some chaos in the LA box with a couple of testing crosses that this very shaky Galaxy defense look to have little appetite to deal with. | Seattle now briefly cause some chaos in the LA box with a couple of testing crosses that this very shaky Galaxy defense look to have little appetite to deal with. |
| 3.06am GMT03:06 | 3.06am GMT03:06 |
| 40 mins: ...oooh, that was a very dangerous low ball across goal from Lletget that was almost touched home by Keane after Frei dived late and failed to reach it. He probably did just enough to put Keane off, but Seattle just wobbling right now. Home crowd sounding a little restless. | 40 mins: ...oooh, that was a very dangerous low ball across goal from Lletget that was almost touched home by Keane after Frei dived late and failed to reach it. He probably did just enough to put Keane off, but Seattle just wobbling right now. Home crowd sounding a little restless. |
| 3.04am GMT03:04 | 3.04am GMT03:04 |
| 38 mins: It’s actually Zach Scott coming in for Leo Gonzalez. More errors as we get them/I make them. Evans moves out wide to cover the full back spot.LA trying to find their passing rhythm on the rather unforgiving Seattle turf, and they’re being helped by some Seattle sloppiness. Galaxy’s best period at the moment. | 38 mins: It’s actually Zach Scott coming in for Leo Gonzalez. More errors as we get them/I make them. Evans moves out wide to cover the full back spot.LA trying to find their passing rhythm on the rather unforgiving Seattle turf, and they’re being helped by some Seattle sloppiness. Galaxy’s best period at the moment. |
| 3.02am GMT03:02 | 3.02am GMT03:02 |
| 36 mins: Oniel Fisher is warming up on the sidelines. Loks like Ivanschitz might have to come out. That’s a real blow to Seattle, who are already without the key presence of Ossie Alonso.LA beginning to step into those pockets Alonso would normally be patrolling — finding a little joy between the Seattle lines. Sigi Schmid might want to address that at half-time. | 36 mins: Oniel Fisher is warming up on the sidelines. Loks like Ivanschitz might have to come out. That’s a real blow to Seattle, who are already without the key presence of Ossie Alonso.LA beginning to step into those pockets Alonso would normally be patrolling — finding a little joy between the Seattle lines. Sigi Schmid might want to address that at half-time. |
| 3.00am GMT03:00 | 3.00am GMT03:00 |
| 34 mins: Juninho picks up the ball near the center line and looks up to consider where to place it — he’s definitely playing way deeper than usual to try and free up Gerrard to do damage. Finally a pause in play as Ivanschitz needs a little treatment for a moment. | 34 mins: Juninho picks up the ball near the center line and looks up to consider where to place it — he’s definitely playing way deeper than usual to try and free up Gerrard to do damage. Finally a pause in play as Ivanschitz needs a little treatment for a moment. |
| 2.58am GMT02:58 | 2.58am GMT02:58 |
| 32 mins: Gerrard turns, just under 30 yards out, and tries to curl a shot past Frei, but it floats past the far post. | 32 mins: Gerrard turns, just under 30 yards out, and tries to curl a shot past Frei, but it floats past the far post. |
| 2.57am GMT02:57 | 2.57am GMT02:57 |
| 30 mins: What an opening half hour, and the game is showing no signs of changing from its frantic pace. It’s hardly elegant from both teams and the LA defense in particular have looked very shaky, but for the neutral it’s exciting stuff. Lletget has an optimistic pop from distance that scuds across the surface but was easily covered by Frei as it slid past the post. Still 2-2. | 30 mins: What an opening half hour, and the game is showing no signs of changing from its frantic pace. It’s hardly elegant from both teams and the LA defense in particular have looked very shaky, but for the neutral it’s exciting stuff. Lletget has an optimistic pop from distance that scuds across the surface but was easily covered by Frei as it slid past the post. Still 2-2. |
| 2.54am GMT02:54 | 2.54am GMT02:54 |
| 28 mins: Martins and Valdes combine to find Ivanschitz overlapping on the left, but his low inviting pass back into the danger area is too close to Ricketts, and Martins didn’t anticipate it anyway. Now Keane beautifully controls a ball over the top and takes his marker out of the game with a touch inside, but he’s already been flagged offside by the time he slots the ball past Frei and into the Seattle net. | 28 mins: Martins and Valdes combine to find Ivanschitz overlapping on the left, but his low inviting pass back into the danger area is too close to Ricketts, and Martins didn’t anticipate it anyway. Now Keane beautifully controls a ball over the top and takes his marker out of the game with a touch inside, but he’s already been flagged offside by the time he slots the ball past Frei and into the Seattle net. |
| 2.52am GMT02:52 | 2.52am GMT02:52 |
| 26 mins: It looks like Dempsey was possibly offside in the build up to that disallowed goal. | 26 mins: It looks like Dempsey was possibly offside in the build up to that disallowed goal. |
| 2.51am GMT02:51 | 2.51am GMT02:51 |
| DISALLOWED GOAL! | DISALLOWED GOAL! |
| Crazy scenes here as Seattle go up to the other end and Ivanschitz drives a low shot across Ricketts and in off the far post, but after furious Galaxy protests and the assistant referee calling the referee over to review the call, it’s disallowed. I don’t know why. I don’t know what’s happening. This is wild. | Crazy scenes here as Seattle go up to the other end and Ivanschitz drives a low shot across Ricketts and in off the far post, but after furious Galaxy protests and the assistant referee calling the referee over to review the call, it’s disallowed. I don’t know why. I don’t know what’s happening. This is wild. |
| 2.49am GMT02:49 | 2.49am GMT02:49 |
| GOAL! SEATTLE 2-2 LA GALAXY (ZARDES!) | GOAL! SEATTLE 2-2 LA GALAXY (ZARDES!) |
| What is happening here? 22 minutes gone and four goals. Seattle can’t clear their lines, and Gerrard has a shot charged down. But the ball breaks to Zardes on the left edge of the box, and his vicious deflected shot hits the near top corner of the goal... | What is happening here? 22 minutes gone and four goals. Seattle can’t clear their lines, and Gerrard has a shot charged down. But the ball breaks to Zardes on the left edge of the box, and his vicious deflected shot hits the near top corner of the goal... |
| 2.47am GMT02:47 | 2.47am GMT02:47 |
| Robbie Keane hits the bar! | Robbie Keane hits the bar! |
| Robbie Keane finds space on the edge of the box and out of nothing whips a fierce shot that crashes off the bar. LA have a corner in the aftermath... | Robbie Keane finds space on the edge of the box and out of nothing whips a fierce shot that crashes off the bar. LA have a corner in the aftermath... |
| 2.46am GMT02:46 | 2.46am GMT02:46 |
| 20 mins: Mears charges down a Rogers cross for an LA corner. Frei punches it clear, but only succeeds in helping set up a Lletget drive from the edge of the box. It too is charged down and now Seattle regain possession and move upfield. | 20 mins: Mears charges down a Rogers cross for an LA corner. Frei punches it clear, but only succeeds in helping set up a Lletget drive from the edge of the box. It too is charged down and now Seattle regain possession and move upfield. |
| 2.44am GMT02:44 | 2.44am GMT02:44 |
| 18 mins: Evans steps across to put the ball out of play as Gerrard tries to get forward down the left. It’s been fast, furious and not particularly pretty so far. LA players trying to put their feet on the ball a little now, trying to settle into the game. They played a solid, cautious game to get through at this stadium last year — not showing the same maturity here yet. | 18 mins: Evans steps across to put the ball out of play as Gerrard tries to get forward down the left. It’s been fast, furious and not particularly pretty so far. LA players trying to put their feet on the ball a little now, trying to settle into the game. They played a solid, cautious game to get through at this stadium last year — not showing the same maturity here yet. |
| 2.41am GMT02:41 | 2.41am GMT02:41 |
| 16 mins: Bruce Arena looks cross on the sidelines. He’s also wearing a stripy hat. Which doesn’t seem to be cheering him up. Looking at the second goal again, you have to say Ricketts is at fault for not calling more clearly — remember, the Galaxy lost a great shot stopper in Jaime Penedo earlier this season. His replacement, Ricketts, is threatening to be the story of this game. | 16 mins: Bruce Arena looks cross on the sidelines. He’s also wearing a stripy hat. Which doesn’t seem to be cheering him up. Looking at the second goal again, you have to say Ricketts is at fault for not calling more clearly — remember, the Galaxy lost a great shot stopper in Jaime Penedo earlier this season. His replacement, Ricketts, is threatening to be the story of this game. |
| 2.39am GMT02:39 | 2.39am GMT02:39 |
| GOAL! SEATTLE 2-1 LA GALAXY (VALDES!) | GOAL! SEATTLE 2-1 LA GALAXY (VALDES!) |
| Not decent position from Gerrard there though...his turn to be involved in miscommunication with Ricketts as he stops tracking Valdes’ run on the floated free kick, and the Seattle player slides the ball home at the back post with the keeper stranded on his line and Gerrard nowhere. This. Is. Something. | Not decent position from Gerrard there though...his turn to be involved in miscommunication with Ricketts as he stops tracking Valdes’ run on the floated free kick, and the Seattle player slides the ball home at the back post with the keeper stranded on his line and Gerrard nowhere. This. Is. Something. |
| 2.37am GMT02:37 | 2.37am GMT02:37 |
| 12 mins: Gerrard tries to slide a ball behind the defense for Keane but plays it too close to Brad Evans, who’s able to step in and intercept easily enough. Decent position from Gerrard though. Free kick to Seattle halfway inside Galaxy half now, after Martins is fouled by Leonardo... | 12 mins: Gerrard tries to slide a ball behind the defense for Keane but plays it too close to Brad Evans, who’s able to step in and intercept easily enough. Decent position from Gerrard though. Free kick to Seattle halfway inside Galaxy half now, after Martins is fouled by Leonardo... |
| 2.36am GMT02:36 | 2.36am GMT02:36 |
| 10 mins: Ivanschitz floats a ball into the Galaxy box and Valdes was never going to get any power on his header which drifts wide. At the other end Zardes works some space on the left of the box and seems to be shaping for a cross. Possibly he miss-hits it, but either way it slices goalward and Frei has to react well to catch it. Gerrard is indeed playing higher up the field by the way. | 10 mins: Ivanschitz floats a ball into the Galaxy box and Valdes was never going to get any power on his header which drifts wide. At the other end Zardes works some space on the left of the box and seems to be shaping for a cross. Possibly he miss-hits it, but either way it slices goalward and Frei has to react well to catch it. Gerrard is indeed playing higher up the field by the way. |
| 2.33am GMT02:33 | 2.33am GMT02:33 |
| SEATTLE 1-1 LA GALAXY (LLETGET!) | SEATTLE 1-1 LA GALAXY (LLETGET!) |
| ...no they don’t. Dos Santos bends a pass into the box from the left, Zardes takes a touch and is thinking about the shot when his team mate Lletget steps across his path and pokes the ball under Frei for an immediate equalizer! Wild start! | ...no they don’t. Dos Santos bends a pass into the box from the left, Zardes takes a touch and is thinking about the shot when his team mate Lletget steps across his path and pokes the ball under Frei for an immediate equalizer! Wild start! |
| 2.32am GMT02:32 | 2.32am GMT02:32 |
| GOAL! SEATTLE 1-0 LA GALAXY (DEMPSEY!) | GOAL! SEATTLE 1-0 LA GALAXY (DEMPSEY!) |
| Donovan Ricketts’ makes an absolute hash of collecting a routine cross — not helped by Omar Gonzalez clown-carring his way across his line of sight. The keeper spills the ball into the path of Dempsey who can’t miss an open net. He doesn’t. Seattle lead... | Donovan Ricketts’ makes an absolute hash of collecting a routine cross — not helped by Omar Gonzalez clown-carring his way across his line of sight. The keeper spills the ball into the path of Dempsey who can’t miss an open net. He doesn’t. Seattle lead... |
| 2.30am GMT02:30 | 2.30am GMT02:30 |
| 4 mins: Marshall has a bit of a grumpy chat with A.J. DeLaGarza.LA attack again down the left, and Seattle hoof it clear looking for Martins, as they’ve already done a couple of times in the opening exchanges. Leonardo coping well with those balls so far. | 4 mins: Marshall has a bit of a grumpy chat with A.J. DeLaGarza.LA attack again down the left, and Seattle hoof it clear looking for Martins, as they’ve already done a couple of times in the opening exchanges. Leonardo coping well with those balls so far. |
| Now it’s Dempsey’s turn to get slowly to his feet after a tasty challenge. Just as well he did because... | Now it’s Dempsey’s turn to get slowly to his feet after a tasty challenge. Just as well he did because... |
| 2.28am GMT02:28 | 2.28am GMT02:28 |
| 2 mins: Almost immediately Robbie Keane pounces on a defensive error and arrows towards goal. It gets away from him and Seattle clear for a corner, which they then get awkwardly away, but that was almost a dreadful start for the hosts.Now boos ringing round the field after Valdez gets leveled by a challenge from Leonardo. He’s getting groggily to his feet now. Lively start... | 2 mins: Almost immediately Robbie Keane pounces on a defensive error and arrows towards goal. It gets away from him and Seattle clear for a corner, which they then get awkwardly away, but that was almost a dreadful start for the hosts.Now boos ringing round the field after Valdez gets leveled by a challenge from Leonardo. He’s getting groggily to his feet now. Lively start... |
| 2.26am GMT02:26 | 2.26am GMT02:26 |
| Kick Off | Kick Off |
| ...we’re underway. Seattle kick off. | ...we’re underway. Seattle kick off. |
| 2.25am GMT02:25 | 2.25am GMT02:25 |
| Last minute huddle timeSecrets swapped, gossip exchanged, and... | Last minute huddle timeSecrets swapped, gossip exchanged, and... |
| 2.21am GMT02:21 | 2.21am GMT02:21 |
| Popular sentiment | Popular sentiment |
| Yo can we start this match? Some of us have to work tomorrow morning. | Yo can we start this match? Some of us have to work tomorrow morning. |
| Some of us have to work tonight. Sort of. At least the teams are out on the field now... | Some of us have to work tonight. Sort of. At least the teams are out on the field now... |
| 2.19am GMT02:19 | 2.19am GMT02:19 |
| When I say we’re nearly ready for kick off... | When I say we’re nearly ready for kick off... |
| I of course meant “subject to ceremony”. Giant flags. Banners. Anthems. Scarves held aloft. Oh, and the teams wandering out of the locker rooms, which they’ve not yet done... | I of course meant “subject to ceremony”. Giant flags. Banners. Anthems. Scarves held aloft. Oh, and the teams wandering out of the locker rooms, which they’ve not yet done... |
| 2.14am GMT02:14 | 2.14am GMT02:14 |
| Nearly ready for kick off | Nearly ready for kick off |
| Turn off those debates, pitches battles, and whatnot. This is happening. | Turn off those debates, pitches battles, and whatnot. This is happening. |
| 2.07am GMT02:07 | 2.07am GMT02:07 |
| Perfect conditions | Perfect conditions |
| They’ve averaged around 44,000 per game this season, and a suitably enthusiastic presence has shown up for this one. It’s been raining in Seattle but has stopped for now, and it’s a perfect 57º for playing soccer. And the pitch looks...like Seattle Sounders’ pitch. | They’ve averaged around 44,000 per game this season, and a suitably enthusiastic presence has shown up for this one. It’s been raining in Seattle but has stopped for now, and it’s a perfect 57º for playing soccer. And the pitch looks...like Seattle Sounders’ pitch. |
| 2.02am GMT02:02 | 2.02am GMT02:02 |
| Stats. Because, stats. | Stats. Because, stats. |
| The Sounders are are currently on an eight-game unbeaten run (4-0-4), and have won 11 games at home this season — the third highest in MLS. | The Sounders are are currently on an eight-game unbeaten run (4-0-4), and have won 11 games at home this season — the third highest in MLS. |
| On the other hand, they’ve also met the Galaxy three times in the playoff, and LA have advanced every time.... | On the other hand, they’ve also met the Galaxy three times in the playoff, and LA have advanced every time.... |
| 1.58am GMT01:58 | 1.58am GMT01:58 |
| Couple of thoughts on that D.C. game while we’re waiting | Couple of thoughts on that D.C. game while we’re waiting |
| Bill Hamid was excellent — when D.C. were wobbling after Agudelo’s wonder goal, he made a couple of great saves, then was there again in the dying seconds of the game to preserve the win, just as he’s done all season. Chris Pontius got the equalizer, and after getting a goal a couple of games back (D.C. fans will just want to forget Sunday in Columbus ever happened) looked to be settling in for a nice playoff run, but picked up a knock in the second half and had to go off. Rolfe too got his goal and looked creative and lively throughout, but man of the match, and earning some playoff redemption, was Fabian Espindola, who tormented the Revs defense, and in particular Andrew Farrell, all night. In the end he ensured D.C. were value for their win. | Bill Hamid was excellent — when D.C. were wobbling after Agudelo’s wonder goal, he made a couple of great saves, then was there again in the dying seconds of the game to preserve the win, just as he’s done all season. Chris Pontius got the equalizer, and after getting a goal a couple of games back (D.C. fans will just want to forget Sunday in Columbus ever happened) looked to be settling in for a nice playoff run, but picked up a knock in the second half and had to go off. Rolfe too got his goal and looked creative and lively throughout, but man of the match, and earning some playoff redemption, was Fabian Espindola, who tormented the Revs defense, and in particular Andrew Farrell, all night. In the end he ensured D.C. were value for their win. |
| New England meanwhile, looked alternately static and over-committed in defense, and while they had their chances, also looked to be just showing a lack of offensive depth, as the game went on. That might be an area Jay Heaps et al will want to look at in the off-season. | New England meanwhile, looked alternately static and over-committed in defense, and while they had their chances, also looked to be just showing a lack of offensive depth, as the game went on. That might be an area Jay Heaps et al will want to look at in the off-season. |
| 1.48am GMT01:48 | 1.48am GMT01:48 |
| Team News | Team News |
| Team News | Team News |
| LINEUP. @SoundersFC XI. PLAYOFFS. GALAXY. Frei Mears Evans Marshall Gonzalez Valdez Rose Friberg Ivanschitz Dempsey Martins | LINEUP. @SoundersFC XI. PLAYOFFS. GALAXY. Frei Mears Evans Marshall Gonzalez Valdez Rose Friberg Ivanschitz Dempsey Martins |
| #LAGalaxy XI: Ricketts; DLG, Gonzalez, Leonardo, Rogers; Zardes, Juninho, Gerrard, Lletget; Keane, Dos Santos pic.twitter.com/ff1qODFDIX | #LAGalaxy XI: Ricketts; DLG, Gonzalez, Leonardo, Rogers; Zardes, Juninho, Gerrard, Lletget; Keane, Dos Santos pic.twitter.com/ff1qODFDIX |
| So, no Ossie Alonso in the starting line up for Seattle. Andy Rose in the heart of midfield, which sets things up in intriguing manner for what’s likely to be a key midfield battle. LA may be in more of a 4-1-3-2 than the above illustration suggests, with Juninho being asked to sit deeper than usual to allow Gerrard to concentrate on doing some work underneath Dos Santos and Keane further up the field. But they look at pretty full strength. | So, no Ossie Alonso in the starting line up for Seattle. Andy Rose in the heart of midfield, which sets things up in intriguing manner for what’s likely to be a key midfield battle. LA may be in more of a 4-1-3-2 than the above illustration suggests, with Juninho being asked to sit deeper than usual to allow Gerrard to concentrate on doing some work underneath Dos Santos and Keane further up the field. But they look at pretty full strength. |
| 1.41am GMT01:41 | 1.41am GMT01:41 |
| You be the ref, part 973 | You be the ref, part 973 |
| “You are being berated by an early Lollapalooza line-up. Do you: | “You are being berated by an early Lollapalooza line-up. Do you: |
| a) Identify the most tattoo-covered and make an example of him b) Wait for the manhandling to die down, brush the dirt off your yellow-clad shoulders and point at the clock/scoreboard.c) Agree that they have a point and all those old hair metal bands had to be got rid of somehow, but have they heard of Britpop?” | a) Identify the most tattoo-covered and make an example of him b) Wait for the manhandling to die down, brush the dirt off your yellow-clad shoulders and point at the clock/scoreboard.c) Agree that they have a point and all those old hair metal bands had to be got rid of somehow, but have they heard of Britpop?” |
| Jermaine Jones is not happy, to put it mildly pic.twitter.com/XGWiV0cNOd | Jermaine Jones is not happy, to put it mildly pic.twitter.com/XGWiV0cNOd |
| 1.34am GMT01:34 | 1.34am GMT01:34 |
| An email | An email |
| Daniel Stauss trembles: | Daniel Stauss trembles: |
| “I’m in Seattle but can’t go tonight, and all day long I’ve been carrying a low-grade dread. LA in the playoffs, again... It’s hard to get the battle fever on, what with visions of Shalrie Joseph in the starting 11. Maybe I’ll just hide under my bed; wake me if Sigi still has a job in the morning.” | “I’m in Seattle but can’t go tonight, and all day long I’ve been carrying a low-grade dread. LA in the playoffs, again... It’s hard to get the battle fever on, what with visions of Shalrie Joseph in the starting 11. Maybe I’ll just hide under my bed; wake me if Sigi still has a job in the morning.” |
| A yes, the infamous playoff game against Portland a couple of years back, where Seattle sent out a barely ambulatory Shalrie Joseph as the tip of a midfield diamond. Pain/hilarity ensued, along with the most sustained interrogation of Schmid’s mandate as coach. Let’s hope we have a better game all round tonight. | A yes, the infamous playoff game against Portland a couple of years back, where Seattle sent out a barely ambulatory Shalrie Joseph as the tip of a midfield diamond. Pain/hilarity ensued, along with the most sustained interrogation of Schmid’s mandate as coach. Let’s hope we have a better game all round tonight. |
| Updated at 1.43am GMT | Updated at 1.43am GMT |
| 1.32am GMT01:32 | 1.32am GMT01:32 |
| Final Whistle — D.C. go through | Final Whistle — D.C. go through |
| So D.C., the masters of winning after falling behind, recover from Sunday’s mauling in Columbus to get the job done by beating New England 2-1, with the Revs experiencing another nasty sting in the tail with Jones’ actions — rather similar to Espindola’s red card after the final whistle when D.C. were eliminated by New York last year. And Jones could — should — face a similar ban as Espindola (who incidentally was great tonight). So then there were 11... | So D.C., the masters of winning after falling behind, recover from Sunday’s mauling in Columbus to get the job done by beating New England 2-1, with the Revs experiencing another nasty sting in the tail with Jones’ actions — rather similar to Espindola’s red card after the final whistle when D.C. were eliminated by New York last year. And Jones could — should — face a similar ban as Espindola (who incidentally was great tonight). So then there were 11... |
| 1.29am GMT01:29 | 1.29am GMT01:29 |
| Jermaine Jones has been sent off for New England! | Jermaine Jones has been sent off for New England! |
| Jones incensed by Marc Geiger not awarding what looked like a clear penalty, and races 30 yards to confront the referee — “making contact” as the announcers gently put it. Straight red and he’ll likely face a significant ban at the start of next season... | Jones incensed by Marc Geiger not awarding what looked like a clear penalty, and races 30 yards to confront the referee — “making contact” as the announcers gently put it. Straight red and he’ll likely face a significant ban at the start of next season... |
| 1.26am GMT01:26 | 1.26am GMT01:26 |
| LA Galaxy | LA Galaxy |
| First of all, it’s not Steven Gerrard’s fault. Not really. Being played in the center of a 4-4-2 alongside Juninho has not been the most helpful use of Gerrard’s remaining assets, and it’s often made for a really ungainly and uncharacteristically unbalanced Galaxy team since the Englishman’s arrival. | First of all, it’s not Steven Gerrard’s fault. Not really. Being played in the center of a 4-4-2 alongside Juninho has not been the most helpful use of Gerrard’s remaining assets, and it’s often made for a really ungainly and uncharacteristically unbalanced Galaxy team since the Englishman’s arrival. |
| Sunday’s game against Sporting KC attempted to address that by switching things around so Gerrard could get further up the field without leaving huge holes of the sort Portland waltzed through in a 5-2 victory at the StubHub Center the previous week. And while it didn’t work out, it looked a bit more effective, and gave Gerrard the chance to make some useful secondary runs. | Sunday’s game against Sporting KC attempted to address that by switching things around so Gerrard could get further up the field without leaving huge holes of the sort Portland waltzed through in a 5-2 victory at the StubHub Center the previous week. And while it didn’t work out, it looked a bit more effective, and gave Gerrard the chance to make some useful secondary runs. |
| You’d bet on Bruce Arena to tinker with formation and personnel to balance things out for 2016, but at the moment it looks 50-50 whether the Galaxy are going to be able to sort their midfield out in the 2015 playoffs to the point where their attacking riches are even relevant. And less than 50-50 if you consider the first hurdle is the artificial turf of Seattle in front of a (spoiler alert) hostile crowd. If Gerrard is planning on having one of his BIGCUPNIGHTS™ for the Galaxy, tonight might be a really good time to do it. At the very least, LA need Juninho to have one. And probably Robbie Keane and Gio Dos Santos. And Gyassi Zardes. And Donovan Ricketts. And the four man defense need to play better. And…everyone. | You’d bet on Bruce Arena to tinker with formation and personnel to balance things out for 2016, but at the moment it looks 50-50 whether the Galaxy are going to be able to sort their midfield out in the 2015 playoffs to the point where their attacking riches are even relevant. And less than 50-50 if you consider the first hurdle is the artificial turf of Seattle in front of a (spoiler alert) hostile crowd. If Gerrard is planning on having one of his BIGCUPNIGHTS™ for the Galaxy, tonight might be a really good time to do it. At the very least, LA need Juninho to have one. And probably Robbie Keane and Gio Dos Santos. And Gyassi Zardes. And Donovan Ricketts. And the four man defense need to play better. And…everyone. |
| Bill Hamid just preserved D.C.’s lead with a great reflex save in the final minute of regular time at RFK Stadium, by the way. | Bill Hamid just preserved D.C.’s lead with a great reflex save in the final minute of regular time at RFK Stadium, by the way. |
| 1.22am GMT01:22 | 1.22am GMT01:22 |
| Time running out at RFK StadiumThat Rolfe goal was a beautiful team build up by the way: | Time running out at RFK StadiumThat Rolfe goal was a beautiful team build up by the way: |
| 1.20am GMT01:20 | 1.20am GMT01:20 |
| Seattle Sounders | Seattle Sounders |
| If Seattle do go out tonight this season might go down as the year of The Notebook. When the Sounders lost to Portland in the US Open Cup at their hitherto impregnable Starfire Complex, earlier this year, the whole game represented one of the more spectacular implosions of a frontrunner in recent years. | If Seattle do go out tonight this season might go down as the year of The Notebook. When the Sounders lost to Portland in the US Open Cup at their hitherto impregnable Starfire Complex, earlier this year, the whole game represented one of the more spectacular implosions of a frontrunner in recent years. |
| Never mind the loss in their beloved US Open Cup, to a less than beloved rival, the game also saw Obafemi Martins stretchered off, and three players sent off — including Clint Dempsey. Dempsey infamously tore up the referee’s notebook just before being asked to leave the field, thus breaking the cardinal rule of | Never mind the loss in their beloved US Open Cup, to a less than beloved rival, the game also saw Obafemi Martins stretchered off, and three players sent off — including Clint Dempsey. Dempsey infamously tore up the referee’s notebook just before being asked to leave the field, thus breaking the cardinal rule of |
| don’t get on the wrong side of passive-aggressive Cascadian litter monitors | don’t get on the wrong side of passive-aggressive Cascadian litter monitors |
| “don’t interfere with the referee’s equipment”, and earning himself a lengthy ban to go with his already impending absence on international duty. | “don’t interfere with the referee’s equipment”, and earning himself a lengthy ban to go with his already impending absence on international duty. |
| (those who have observed the US national team of late may be inclined to wonder if several of Dempsey’s colleagues have also been absent while on international duty, but that’s another story…) | (those who have observed the US national team of late may be inclined to wonder if several of Dempsey’s colleagues have also been absent while on international duty, but that’s another story…) |
| Seattle duly struggled through the summer and even when they eventually began to get their key players back and steady things somewhat, there’s just been a sense of late that some of the aura they’d built up round themselves earlier in the season has markedly diminished, and while nobody would be particularly surprised if they went on a playoff run and even, finally, made an MLS Cup, nobody would be surprised if they didn’t, either. | Seattle duly struggled through the summer and even when they eventually began to get their key players back and steady things somewhat, there’s just been a sense of late that some of the aura they’d built up round themselves earlier in the season has markedly diminished, and while nobody would be particularly surprised if they went on a playoff run and even, finally, made an MLS Cup, nobody would be surprised if they didn’t, either. |
| 1.18am GMT01:18 | 1.18am GMT01:18 |
| D.C. United 2-1 New England (ROLFE!) | D.C. United 2-1 New England (ROLFE!) |
| Chris Rolfe has made up for missing that penalty by slotting home from the edge of the six yard box to put D.C. ahead with 7 minutes remaining... | Chris Rolfe has made up for missing that penalty by slotting home from the edge of the six yard box to put D.C. ahead with 7 minutes remaining... |
| 1.12am GMT01:12 | 1.12am GMT01:12 |
| Meanwhile, elsewhere | Meanwhile, elsewhere |
| Over in the Eastern Conference, D.C. United, they of the “noone rates us, we don’t care” demeanor, were hosting New England tonight. | Over in the Eastern Conference, D.C. United, they of the “noone rates us, we don’t care” demeanor, were hosting New England tonight. |
| Anyway, this happened early on... | Anyway, this happened early on... |
| ¡JUAN AGUDELO! Lo que hiciste es para nunca dejarte de querer. Así es como se ejecuta una chilena. #MLSCupPlayoffs https://t.co/XgeFlnca3v | ¡JUAN AGUDELO! Lo que hiciste es para nunca dejarte de querer. Así es como se ejecuta una chilena. #MLSCupPlayoffs https://t.co/XgeFlnca3v |
| ...which really didn’t help D.C.’s mood. Mind you, Chris Pontius equalizing just before half-time helped considerably, after Bill Hamid had performed his habitual heroics to keep D.C. in the game. | ...which really didn’t help D.C.’s mood. Mind you, Chris Pontius equalizing just before half-time helped considerably, after Bill Hamid had performed his habitual heroics to keep D.C. in the game. |
| D.C. possibly back in a funk right now, with Chris Rolfe having just missed a penalty. There’s just under 15 minutes to go of normal time in that one, and I’ll keep you up to date with developments as we count down to kick off in Seattle. | D.C. possibly back in a funk right now, with Chris Rolfe having just missed a penalty. There’s just under 15 minutes to go of normal time in that one, and I’ll keep you up to date with developments as we count down to kick off in Seattle. |
| 1.07am GMT01:07 | 1.07am GMT01:07 |
| Preamble | Preamble |
| Evening all, and welcome to the MLS Western Conference | Evening all, and welcome to the MLS Western Conference |
| final | final |
| knockout game between Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy. | knockout game between Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy. |
| Looking back just a few short months ago, we might reasonably have anticipated this as the Western Conference final. That was before suspensions, international absences and injury started to interfere with Seattle’s formidable Dempsey/Martins partnership that had terrorized defenses at the start of the season, and before Steven Gerrard was invited to turn back the clock as a box to box midfielder for LA — more on that in a moment. | Looking back just a few short months ago, we might reasonably have anticipated this as the Western Conference final. That was before suspensions, international absences and injury started to interfere with Seattle’s formidable Dempsey/Martins partnership that had terrorized defenses at the start of the season, and before Steven Gerrard was invited to turn back the clock as a box to box midfielder for LA — more on that in a moment. |
| Seattle have shown intermittent signs of coming back to life of late, after a long derailment threatened to drop them out of the playoff race altogether at one point, and Sunday’s emphatic first half against Real Salt Lake should give any defense in the league pause for thought — especially one, like the Galaxy’s, that has conceded seven goals in its last two games. | Seattle have shown intermittent signs of coming back to life of late, after a long derailment threatened to drop them out of the playoff race altogether at one point, and Sunday’s emphatic first half against Real Salt Lake should give any defense in the league pause for thought — especially one, like the Galaxy’s, that has conceded seven goals in its last two games. |
| The Galaxy could have avoided this game altogether had they done better than the two losses that came in those games — including a 2-1 loss to a Sporting Kansas City side with slumping issues of their own, on the final day. But the 2015 Galaxy, or the late 2015 Galaxy anyway…have issues. And now they face a must win game on the artificial turf of CenturyLink Field, and the possibility of an ignominious early exit from their attempt to defend the MLS Cup. | The Galaxy could have avoided this game altogether had they done better than the two losses that came in those games — including a 2-1 loss to a Sporting Kansas City side with slumping issues of their own, on the final day. But the 2015 Galaxy, or the late 2015 Galaxy anyway…have issues. And now they face a must win game on the artificial turf of CenturyLink Field, and the possibility of an ignominious early exit from their attempt to defend the MLS Cup. |
| Whatever happens tonight, it’s not quite the two-legged clash of the Western titans many envisioned for late November — at least one of these teams will be emptying their lockers before Halloween. | Whatever happens tonight, it’s not quite the two-legged clash of the Western titans many envisioned for late November — at least one of these teams will be emptying their lockers before Halloween. |
| Anyway, I will be here for the rest of the evening to see one of these two teams and their montage-friendly bevy of stars off the premises — taking your tweets and emails and in no way zoning out to check on the open World Series/Republican debate tabs on my browser. Send said tweets to @KidWeil, said emails to graham.parker@theguardian.com and we’ll get through this together. And I’ll be back in a minute with more build up and team news. | Anyway, I will be here for the rest of the evening to see one of these two teams and their montage-friendly bevy of stars off the premises — taking your tweets and emails and in no way zoning out to check on the open World Series/Republican debate tabs on my browser. Send said tweets to @KidWeil, said emails to graham.parker@theguardian.com and we’ll get through this together. And I’ll be back in a minute with more build up and team news. |
| 9.07pm GMT21:07 | 9.07pm GMT21:07 |
| Graham will be here shortly. Meanwhile, here’s what we learned from Decision Day: | Graham will be here shortly. Meanwhile, here’s what we learned from Decision Day: |
| Related: New York Red Bulls' Supporters' Shield could augur MLS Cup breakthrough | Related: New York Red Bulls' Supporters' Shield could augur MLS Cup breakthrough |