Oct 19, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan (10) looks at a painting presented to him after the Galaxy tied the Seattle Sounders FC 2-2 at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
The 2014 Major League Soccer Supporters’ Shield race will go down to the final weekend at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. After Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy led 2-0 midway through the second half, Sigi Schmid’s Seattle Sounders battled back to secure a 2-2 draw at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. The result spoiled a fond farewell to Landon Donovan, who played his final regular season game at StubHub Center.
Hear from Arena and Donovan following the contest.
Let’s take a look at six things we learned, followed by player ratings, for the match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Seattle Sounders.
1. Omar Gonzalez’s red card a cause for concern
The Los Angeles Galaxy will be playing their regular season match behind the 8-ball after losing Omar Gonzalez due to suspension. In the 88th minute, Gonzalez delivered a dangerous tackle on Seattle’s Gonzalo Pineda, triggering a red card from referee Ismael Elfath.
“A terrible call, just a poor piece of officiating,” Arena said of the decision. “We all play without players, the next guy will step in, but we haven’t made any decisions on what we are doing next week.”
“I was standing right behind it, I think Omar got the ball and then followed through and got the guy. I think I can perhaps see it as a foul, or a yellow, it is a little harsh I think to send him off, but that is part of the game, it can happen,” Donovan said. “It is certainly going to affect us, not having Omar hurts, but it is an opportunity for someone else to play, and an opportunity hopefully for Omar to get some rest and regroup and get ready for the playoffs.”
“Yeah, obviously Omar is one of the big leaders in the team and to lose a big figure like him is obviously very upsetting,” said midfielder Baggio Husidic, “and it’s always a challenge to replace him but there’s guys on the squad that can step in and do the part and one of the reasons we’ve been so successful is having guys stepping in.”
“You can’t replace Omar,” added defender Robbie Rogers. “He’s such a good player. But we’ll step up. We’ve played without him and without different guys and we’ve gotten results.”
2. Seattle’s comeback a hallmark of an MLS Cup contender
Take a look at the two goals from Seattle’s Clint Dempsey and Lamar Neagle. These are the hallmark of a true MLS Cup contender: taking advantage of acres of space while making the right placement when taking a shot. The Ameoeba attack, as it is known in Seattle, can wear down teams and make matches wide-open.
“I think that we were a little lazy on a few of the plays and give credit to Seattle, they finished the plays off really well,” said Huasidic “I think we got a little bit comfortable with the 2-0 lead and we let them get into it and luckily we were able to salvage a point in the game. It’s going to come down to a very fun game next weekend in Seattle so it’s not the end of the world, in my perspective it will be even more entertaining.”
At the heart of Seattle’s play is Obafemi Martins, who had two assists to lead the Sounders. Martins almost scored a number of times in this contest.
“He is a great player; him and Clint are a handful,” said Donovan of Martins. “They see each other well, they combine well, they move well, they create chances and they are dangerous in front of the goal. They are a very very good tandem and we did a good job against them in the first game but tonight was a little more difficult and the field is bigger here, it gave them more space, and they really took advantage of it.”
3. Landon Donovan feted in grand fashion
Before the match, Landon Donovan was treated to a stirring piano performance by Vladimir John Ondrasik III of FIve for FIghting. Boyz II Men performed the National Anthem. And Donovan was given a painting at the end of the game.
“I was not aware that Boyz II Men was there, I didn’t know that John Ondrasik from Five For Fighting who has become a really good friend and mentor to me, was going to do that pre-game so those were incredible,” said Donovan. “From Bruce’s standpoint, his job is to win, and that is why he is here, so I can see why this might be frustrating for a coach to see all this, but Bruce also understands the big picture and he sees how important all of this is for the club and the fans, and for me and my family.
“It is frustrating in the moment but I know when he has some time to think about it, he will understand how nice it was that we could do this. It is incumbent upon me now to get back to the soccer part. I have made that clear to everyone that I am going to appreciate this and enjoy this, but that now it is time to get back to soccer.
“I am able to compartmentalize, so I am frustrated professionally tonight because of the result but I wouldn’t let that take away from all the amazing things that happened tonight. I will put them both in their respective places and move forward accordingly.”
4. Baggio Husidic picks his poison
More from Los Angeles Galaxy
- The Return of Lucas Calegari to Fluminense
- Chicharito’s Departure from LA Galaxy
- LA Galaxy faces obstacles in potential signing of striker Álvaro Morata
- The Return of Douglas Costa to Juventus: A Risky Bet or a Shot at Redemption?
- Douglas Costa Leaves LA Galaxy: Opportunity or Premature Farewell?
Baggio Husidic opened up the scoring in first half injury time, picking his poison after being left open outside the box. Watch this goal.
“Baggio played well, he had a good solid game,” said Arena. “Obviously the goal was important for us, he did a good job laying the ball up for Marcelo, but a good solid performance.”
“Like I said, I think this team has been so successful because guys have been able to step up. Obviously Landon , Keane and Gyasi are huge contributors on the offensive end and they’ve done a lot,” said Husidic. “Some of the other guys step in and get a goal and an assist and that’s a sign of a good team.”
5. Marcelo Sarvas sees opportunity and takes it
Marcelo Sarvas also gave Galaxy fans something to smile about with a strike early in the second half. It was a shame that it wasn’t enough, but the effort Sarvas brings to the table is critical to LA’s chances next weekend.
“He had a good game, the goal I think he was fortunate, it deflected of Martins I think, but Marcelo played well tonight, as did Juninho,” said Arena. “I think the game was obviously a pretty even game, both teams battled, and they had a pretty defensive posture for most of the game, until they trailed by two goals. I thought that for sixty five minutes or so we had real good control of the game, and then they came at us a little more aggressive and obviously that first goal they scored got them back into the game.”
6. Los Angeles still confident of a win
The Galaxy can resurge into form with a win this weekend against the Sounders this Saturday at CenturyLink Field. It will not be easy, but Los Angeles have done the work before.
“You can’t go into Seattle and hold back and expect to tie, it doesn’t really work like that there,” said Husidic. “The best way to go there is to go after them and to try and win the game, and it’s a good mentality to have; nothing to lose so I think it will be a lot of fun to play out there.”
Dempsey believes that next week’s match could be a tuneup to the Western Conference Final this year,
“You never know what can happen in the playoffs,” Dempsey said. “That is the craziness of it so you just focus on what you can focus on and focus on the next game really. Depending on what happens on the next game depends on who you are going to play in the playoffs and then you have to worry about that opponent and you make sure you take care of those games before you can even make it to the game you are talking about.”
Team Statistics
Los Angeles on left, Seattle on right
| 11 | Shots | 13 |
| 2 | Shots on Target | 5 |
| 7 | Shots off Target | 6 |
| 2 | Blocked Shots | 2 |
| 4 | Corners | 1 |
| 21 | Crosses | 11 |
| 0 | Offsides | 3 |
| 13 | Fouls | 18 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 4 |
| 1 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 535 | Total Passes | 416 |
| 83 % | Passing Accuracy | 78 % |
| 56.5 % | Possession | 43.5 % |
| 62 | Duels Won | 46 |
| 26 | Tackles Won | 16 |
| 3 | Saves | 0 |
| 23 | Clearances | 20 |
Los Angeles Galaxy Player Ratings
Jaime Penedo 5, A.J. DeLaGarza 5, Dan Gargan 6, Omar Gonzalez 1, Robbie Rogers 5.5, Baggio Husidic 8, Juninho 7, Landon Donovan 5, Marcelo Sarvas 7, Gyasi Zardes 4, Robbie Keane 5, Alan Gordon 4, Leonardo NR
Seattle Sounders Player Ratings
Stefan Frei 5, Chad Marshall 5, DeAndre Yedlin 7, Leonardo Gonzalez 6, Zach Scott 5.5, Brad Evans 6, Gonzalo Pineda 5.5, Lamar Neagle 8, Osvaldo Alonzo 7, Clint Dempsey 7.5, Obafemi Martins 8.5, Marco Pappa 4, Chad Barrett NR