LA Galaxy Vs. Seattle Sounders, Matchcard: Projected Starting Lineups, Statistics, Broadcast Info

by Jeremiah Oshan on Jul 1, 2011 6:37 PM PDT in Sounders: MLS Regular Season

With the Seattle Sounders on their best form of the season and being as healthy as they've been all year, you would think that projecting the starting lineup would be getting easier. And it is. But there are still a few questions heading into Monday's game against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The biggest is who starts as the center midfielder next to Osvaldo Alonso? We're going with Brad Evans, partly because we know Sigi really loves his game. We wouldn't be shocked, or even disappointed, to see Erik Friberg run out there this week, as he appears to have recovered from whatever's been ailing him.

As for the Galaxy, their lineup and formation was provided by Josie Becker of LAG Confidential, SB Nation's newest MLS blog. With David Beckham looking to be a scratch, either because of an injury or rumors that Posh is due to give birth that day, a formation change seems likely. Becker thinks that means Landon Donovan slides into the top of a diamond formation. It also looks like Chris Birchall and Mike Magee will get the starts as the wide midfielders.

The other rather large question for the Galaxy is who's in goal? Well, Brian Perk will most definitely make his first MLS start, but who would be backing him up is an entirely open question. Could Magee really reprise his role if something were to happen to Perk? Who knows, but let's hope we find out.

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KEY MATCHUP

Honey Badger v. Landycakes

by wyte_lightning on Jul 1, 2011 6:43 PM PDT reply actions

I missed something

Honey badger is Ozzie, correct? I love it, who started that nickname?

by Czazall on Jul 1, 2011 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions

yes it's Alonso

I believe it was LikkitP on twitter if I remember correctly who coined the nickname.

by Colin Johnson on Jul 1, 2011 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Not to toot my own horn, but you misremember :)

by Aaron Campeau on Jul 2, 2011 4:44 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Sorry

Wasn’t trying to steal your thunder. I love your nickname and use it whenever possible.

by Colin Johnson on Jul 2, 2011 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Any thoughts on O'Brian?

Like the line up. I keep hearing O’Brian is looking better and better. Full Practice sessions recently. Do you expect him to be brought in as a sub in a upcoming game? POR, COL?

On the LA game, I REALLY am hoping for us to get a win on this game, not only to boost the clubs confidence but to get rid of the “LA has their number” mentality, which could help them IF we have to play them in the playoffs down the road.

by TheDarkPassenger on Jul 1, 2011 6:44 PM PDT reply actions

I'd be shocked to see him play in the next couple weeks

Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter

by Jeremiah Oshan on Jul 1, 2011 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions

If the me of three months ago saw this lineup

I would be crying. But the me of today is very happy to see a lineup like this. Certainly excited to get OBW and Zakuani back, but these trials have really proven the depth of our boys.

by chrisperry1983 on Jul 1, 2011 9:40 PM PDT reply actions

That LA midfield looks wonky.

I haven’t been watching Galaxy games or anything, but are they really going to start Birchall on the wing and have Donovan/Juninho is central midfield? That doesn’t seem like any defensive bite in the center.

I’d expect Donovan out right (or withdrawn forward), Birchall as a deep-lying holding mid, and Juninho a little in front of him with license to shoot. And if we close him down this time and watch the counter, I think we can shut that lineup out.

by JesseMT on Jul 1, 2011 9:51 PM PDT reply actions

But...

Arena’s been tricky about where he sticks Donovan on the pitch against us.

by JesseMT on Jul 1, 2011 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions

I was surprised too

but i’m not sure who they play in the middle with beckham out.

Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter

by Jeremiah Oshan on Jul 2, 2011 7:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Well if Golden Balls isn't playing..

…that means Landycakes will be taking corners and free kicks – which weaken’s their set pieces. This I like.

Hit me up on Twitter

by Timm Higgins on Jul 1, 2011 11:05 PM PDT reply actions

May 8, 2010

The nadir of the Sounders season. Seattle 0-4 LA. London Donovan with a goal and three assists. David Beckham was missing due to a torn Achilles. Donovan took the free kicks. Our GM offered a refund for that match. Set piece delivery will be an issue on Monday. Donovan taking set pieces is not a downgrade. I’m sorry if I seem short; LA bothers me. When the Sounders lose to them, it bothers me. Never overlook a Bruce Arena-coached team.

by James Bray on Jul 2, 2011 12:43 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Last sentence should read:

Never overlook any player on a Bruce Arena-coached team.

by James Bray on Jul 2, 2011 12:46 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

one of these days...

Mike fucito is going to score a goal in league play! i know he scored against KC last year, but after his champions league performance last year and the 2 open cup goals against Kitsap, im really anxious to see him bagg a few in mls play. at least 1! we all know he has it in him.

The lineup looks as expected. The only possible change I could see would be Friberg for Evans if he cant go.

by brandinho on Jul 2, 2011 1:49 AM PDT reply actions

also, on an interesting note

the more and more of our injured players that return, the more and more quality plays we have to leave out of the 18. i mean, based on this lineup, we have several guys that could make the 18. proven guys.

1. Terry Boss – because we will always have a keeper in the 18
2. Nate Jaqua
3. Roger Levesque
4. Patrick Ianni
5. Leo Gonzalez
6. Zack Scott
7. Eric Friberg
8. Pat Noonan
9. Lamar Neagle
10. Servando Carrasco

all of these guys are very solid and proved for the most part at this level.
and of course we will have Zakuani and O’Brian pushing 2 more guys out of the 18 hopefeully soon :)
I guess that is the positive of having quality depth.

but I would love to see some of our younger guys loaned out the way Tetteh was. Estrada and Seamon come to mind. I would love to see Montano get some playing time for a USL club too, but I dont think we can loan out a player who is already on loan.

by brandinho on Jul 2, 2011 1:59 AM PDT reply actions

Eastern Time???

Is that 10:30 Eastern time? I can’t imagine it would be that late.

by zeeehjee on Jul 2, 2011 11:26 AM PDT reply actions

yeha, whoops

I got in Eastern mode. game is 730 local time.

Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter

by Jeremiah Oshan on Jul 2, 2011 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Any idea who is calling the game for ESPN?

With ESPN’s usual talent in Germany for the Women’s World Cup, who’s got this match? I imagine they will be truly awful.

Speaking of Women’s World Cup coverage, I think Julie Foudy is doing a fine job, and should be covering MLS regularly.

by Derek Markgraf on Jul 3, 2011 6:49 PM PDT reply actions

It's a double header

I’m guessing that the teams will be Rob Stone and John Harkes (most likely our match), with Glen Davis and Taylor Twellman doing the other match.
As far as WWC is concerned, Foudy’s alright, but Kate Markgraf has been outstanding Derek.

by James Bray on Jul 4, 2011 1:09 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Here's the broadcast info from Josh Mayers

Referee is Ricardo Salazar. Commentators are Harkes and Stone.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/

by James Bray on Jul 4, 2011 4:13 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I don't think I'm related to Kate

And with her young children, I don’t see her doing full time commentating in the near future. I agree, though, she has been good and pairs nicely with Adrian Healy, much better than John Harkes.

ESPN has had women as the main commentator for college football without serious outcry to the best of my knowledge. I think a knowledgable woman like Julie Foudy or Kate Markgraf would be a great addition to their regular crew.

by Derek Markgraf on Jul 4, 2011 7:15 PM PDT reply actions