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Friday's preseason scrimmage with LA Galaxy was not open to the public, but the Sounders Matchday Twitter account provided detailed updates. Galaxy media also provided some interesting information, notably that former Chicago Fire and US U-20 international midfielder Benji Joya made an appearance for the Sounders in the second half. Baggio Husidic and Marco Pappa traded goals in the first half, but a second strike from a Galaxy rookie early in the second stood up for a preseason win over the Sounders in Los Angeles.
Noticed a familiar face in the Sounders second half lineup: former US youth int'l Benji Joya.
— Adam Serrano (@LAGalaxyInsider) February 6, 2015
Here's Joya with Sigi. pic.twitter.com/LtDrvcWe7q
— Adam Serrano (@LAGalaxyInsider) February 6, 2015
The first half opened with mostly first team lineups from both squads, with some guest players filling a few positions. Brad Evans started alongside Chad Marshall at center back, and Tyrone Mears slotted in at right back. A guest player filled in at left fullback. Michael Azira took Alonso's place in the central midfield.
And your @SoundersFC XI to face the @LAGalaxy: Frei Mears Evans Marshall GP1 Pappa Azira Pineda Neagle Barrett Martins #LAvSEA
— Sounders Matchday (@LIVESounders) February 6, 2015
According to the updates, Obafemi Martins looked very active and effective, and Marco Pappa had several opportunities and positive plays. However, the Galaxy took the lead in the 18th minute.
18’ - Goal for the Galaxy! Husidic slots home the pass from Ishizaki to open the scoring for the home side. 1-0 LA.
— Sounders Matchday (@LIVESounders) February 6, 2015
The Sounders shot back through Pappa in the 27th minute after a cross found him centrally and he fired a "low curved shot inside the far post."
Stefan Frei and Azira also got good marks for their first half play from Shane Evans, who runs the Matchday account. Both teams changed lineups for the second half after entering halftime tied.
Second half lineup: Perkins Fisher Lowe Scott Gonzalez Roldan GP2 (formerly GP3) Long Kovar Jones Cooper #LAvSEA
— Sounders Matchday (@LIVESounders) February 6, 2015
Darwin Jones, Aaron Kovar and Cristian Roldan were all noted to be active near the goal early in the second half, but LA struck again in the 54th through a strike from rookie Nacho Maganto.
Though the Sounders pressed, the game seemed to quiet down later in the second half, with a few more guest players subbed in to finish the match. In one update, Evans confirmed that one of the guest players in the second half was indeed Elroy (Elroi) Cohen. The Israel international was previously identified earlier in training camp.
79’ - Cohen with a cheeky turn and plays in Jones but the run is just a bit quick and he’s offside.
— Sounders Matchday (@LIVESounders) February 6, 2015
The Sounders had a few more chances, but the game ended 2-1 to the Galaxy.
There's no word on why the Sounders chose to identify Cohen rather than continue to use the "Guest Player" tag.
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