Sounders at LA Galaxy - Gamethread

As the LA Galaxy play host to Seattle Sounders FC on ESPN2 (8:00 PM), many will be watching for the possible entry of Robbie Rogers. It is a great narrative, history making and a possible distraction from the game at hand. It is an early season match between two sides with young and old US National Team players, as well as other international talents. Both teams have key players injured (Dunivant and Alonso).

Those conditions make lineup prediction nearly impossible, but they do point to some ways to attack the Galaxy. Get wide on that right side and take advantage of Mauro Rosales against Greg Cochrane. With Yedlin in support, that should help Seattle gain advantage and find a new route to goal. Though most of the Sounders' recent goal flurry is powered by direct play, that may be unnecessary today. Attacking the flanks will place some stress on how Sounders FC defense Landon Donovan. He can start left and float right. He can pop up top as a forward, but if he's on the left and Yedlin/Rosales have surged forward, the support from Hurtado and Carrasco is going to be vital. If he's out right the defense of Leo Gonzalez will be challenged. Whether via Route One or on the cross, Eddie Johnson will be matched against US teammate Omar Gonzalez. Seattle will have the edge in speed, but LA will actually hold an advantage on set-plays.

Whatever Sigi Schmid does with player matchups, an early goal could make all the difference. Seattle is just unstoppable when scoring first, having gone 37 straight matches without a loss when putting the ball in the net first. LA is the type of team that could end that run though. Their MLS matches this year are particularly active late with the Galaxy scoring 10 in the last 30 minutes (59% of their goals) and their opponents getting 7 in that same time (70%) of goals. That is also the time most likely to see Rogers take the field. That last thirty minutes is not just likely to make history, but make the game.

I'm not in Maui anymore, so let's see if four goal magic got left on Lower Honoapiilani.

TV: ESPN2 (Healey/Twellman/Lalas)
Radio: KIRO 97.3 FM (Fletcher/Keller))
Spanish TV: ESPN Deportes

REFEREE: Baldomero Toledo - MLS Career: 152 games; FC/gm: 25.0; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 50; pens: 58
AR1 (bench): Ian Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Baboucarr Jallow; 4th: Alejandro Mariscal

DISABLED LIST: SEA: Josh Ford

SUSPENDED: none

WARNINGS: SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: none

SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: LA: Marcelo Sarvas SEA: Eddie Johnson

INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: LA: Oscar Sorto (U.S. U-20)

Tactical Keys

• Get Wide and Attack
• Score Early
• Beware Late Flurries
• Don't Be Overwhelmed By The Moment

Player Matchups

• Mauro Rosales v Greg Cochrane
• Yedlin/Gonzalez v Donovan
• Eddie Johnson v Omar Gonzalez

How We're Watching

Scarf: Nos Audietis 2012
Kit: Electricity
Where I'm Watching: Home

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