The Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy effectively played to a stalemate in their three meetings this year, with each team winning one and the other match ending in a 2-2 tie. Osvaldo Alonso played in all three matches. Omar Gonzalez and Landon Donovan, somewhat surprisingly, claim to be looking forward to him playing in matchups Nos. 4 and 5 in the Western Conference final.
"I know it's crazy to say, but I hope Ozzie is fine and I want him to play," Donovan said. "They're a much better team when he's on the field. He does all the things that don't show up on the scoresheet and sometimes he ends up on the scoresheet and scores a goal that gets them through a playoff series like he did against Dallas."
Gonzalez echoed the sentiment.
"I hope Alonso heals quickly," Gonzalez said. "I think he's huge for them. I want them to be at full strength because it makes for a better game."
Whether or not this is just so much gamesmanship, it's hard to say. Alonso has only missed one of the teams' last 12 regular-season meetings. The Sounders have gone 3-5-4 in the games Alonso has started. It's worth noting the Sounders lost the one game Alonso missed, falling 4-0 at LA last season.
Schmid has said Alonso is progressing well, but has stopped short of guaranteeing his defensive midfielder will start on Sunday.
Looks like the Sounders and Galaxy will be crossing their fingers.