Playing the same team three times in a little over a month is a challenge, a hurdle that the Seattle Sounders unfortunately stumbled over in Saturday’s encounter with the LA Galaxy. Despite having already bested their Western Conference rivals twice, both times in LA, the third time, this one at home, proved to be a frustrating affair, ending in a disappointing 2-2 draw.
The match began with promise for Seattle, who established a comfortable two-goal lead in the first half. Their attacking play was fluid, creating numerous chances that on another day would have surely extended their advantage. However, the failure to capitalize on these opportunities proved costly. Instead of adding to their scoreline, the Sounders conceded twice, including once late in the second half, allowing the Galaxy to claw their way back into the game and ultimately steal valuable points.
This result was particularly disheartening, following a string of quality Sounders performances. The inability to close out a match where they held a 2-0 lead, especially against a team they had previously dominated, highlights a lapse in concentration and execution. Dropping points against the worst team in MLS is a tough pill to swallow. It will undoubtedly be a point of focus as they head across the country for a Tuesday night match.
Thrill of victory: Seattle was the better team for a vast majority of the match, controlling play, creating big chances, and smoothly transitioning wherever they wanted. The reintroduction of two players from the injury list means even more depth for the stretch and playoff run.
Agony of defeat: Yet again, the Sounders’ defense couldn’t hold a multi-goal lead, a disturbing trend in a season that lacks last year’s lock-down closeout ability. It’s hard to pinpoint why the team makes such critical errors, but there have been at least nine points dropped in unacceptable fashion.
Goalkeeper
Stefan Frei – 5 | Community – 5.8
Could he have done better on either of the goals? Probably not. But for whatever reason, the team was passive at the end of the match when it mattered most. Stefan had five saves as LA was able to get a number of quality looks, and Frei was mostly up to the task. He also was very clean in the back, controlling the ball and adding strong distribution choices.
Thrill of victory: A 58th minute save was a great reaction dive and control, with Frei earning Seattle more time to put the game away.
Agony of defeat: It’s hard to blame it on Frei, but it stings to give up an 87th minute goal off a throw-in to a team you had dominated 6-0 over the previous two matches. Even worse, it was Frei’s errant pass that set up the throw-in.
Defense
Reed Baker-Whiting – 5 | Community – 5.8 (off 59’ for Nouhou)
Reed earned back-to-back starts but had some troubles against LA. He managed 80 percent passing and a key pass, but at times struggled to remain connected to his teammates while offering an outlet on the left. This was a tight outing that lacked much of Reed’s free-flowing confidence from the previous match.
Thrill of victory: In the 35th minute, a wonderful dribble forward and connection with Paul Rothrock direct on goal was excellent, creating a big chance that Seattle squandered.
Agony of defeat: His 1-v-1 defense has been criticized, but this time it was Reed’s passing and decision making that were consistent faults, with terrible passes in the 28th and 48th. Both were across the middle, toward his own goal, and nearly disastrous.
Jackson Ragen – 6 | Community – 6.3
Ragen was excellent in distribution, with spectacular 97 percent passing, often piercing the lines to find Jesús Ferreira or a winger forward. Unfortunately, like the rest of the defense, he had a number of awkward plays and some slow rotations that LA took advantage of to equalize the score.
Thrill of victory: Ragen nearly redirected a great header in the 74th minute off a corner kick, and he continually found line-splitting passes that Seattle feasted on in transition.
Agony of defeat: His aggressive playstyle took a hit early, as somehow he was deemed to deserve a yellow card in the 6th minute. This put a damper on how Jackson had to play the rest of the match, and some scary tackles after that risked expulsion.
Yeimar – 6 | Community – 6.4
Yeimar was his usual steady self defensively on the right, dropping in to prevent attacks and transitioning through the channel. He led the team with an awesome nine clearances.
Thrill of victory: His defense all night, especially on Joseph Paintsil, was excellent. In the 75th minute, he came all the way across the field to shut him down, dispossessing the LA star on the left and turning the ball forward.
Agony of defeat: Similar to others on the team, Yeimar made some very risky passes, balls that went to the middle or his own goal and were just unnecessary choices.
Alex Roldan – 6 | Community – 6.2
Coming off a Leagues Cup high, Alex started out strong, repeatedly feeding in probing balls and creating chances for Seattle up the right wing. As the match went on, he was pulled around a tiring defense and was part of a struggling team that couldn’t hold on.
Thrill of victory: Once again good things happen when Alex looks forward, and he initiated a gorgeous transition goal five minutes into the match. He nearly scored late and balanced this out with multiple solid defensive actions.
Agony of defeat: Missing a few big chances, like other teammates, meant LA hung around, and Roldan was victimized defensively as the Galaxy scored through transition down his side. He also missed a wide open Rothrock in the 78th minute, instead opting to shoot.
Defensive Midfield
Cristian Roldan – 7 | Community – 6.6
With three tackles, two shots, and 95 percent passing, Cristian was his usual effective self centrally, but was unfortunately unable to prevent LA’s comeback. Some tired legs and miscommunications meant that even the dependable Roldan was left chasing as LA equalized. He had 100 touches and a massive 13 passes into the final third, as it was Cristian who did a majority of the work on the ball for Seattle.
Thrill of victory: Running the midfield for much of the match, Seattle had the better chances and many originated through Cristian’s movement and structure in the center. He consistently won tackles and turned forward, finding Jesús or the wide players to create moments for Seattle.
Agony of defeat: An attempted chest pass in the 17th minute was back towards his own goal and a risky moment that backfired when it was stolen.
Obed Vargas – 6 | Community – 6.2
Vargas returned from the high of the tournament and was solid but not overly exciting against LA. Facing a lot of physical play, he was consistently able to play through the pressure without the assistance of the referee’s whistle. His eight passes into the final third were excellent at moving Seattle from defense to offense.
Thrill of victory: Looking more aggressive offensively, in the first half his nice passes to Rothrock, including a gorgeous ball in the 41st minute for a secondary assist, defined his more direct play.
Agony of defeat: For whatever reason, Obed didn’t have much impact in the second half, and he faded from the match. His 63 touches were fifth most on the team.
Attacking Midfield
Paul Rothrock – 7 | Community – 6.4 (off 80’ for Minoungou)
Rothrock’s pressure forward continually plagued LAG, as Paul was a relentless runner into the box. He earned an assist and got in for a number of other big chances, ending with two shots and two key passes.
Thrill of victory: Constantly pressing forward, in the 41st minute Seattle forged a two-goal lead through a direct run into the box by Paul. When he got in behind, he immediately found Danny Musovski for a tap-in.
Agony of defeat: In the 35th minute, Paul was put in on goal and had another chance to score in a 1-v-1 with the keeper. He was stuffed.
Jesús Ferreira – 7 | Community – 6.9 (MOTM) (off 89’ for De Rosario)
Starting at central attacking midfielder, it was Jesús who pulled the strings and was strong, combining and moving the ball into the attack. A clinical finish combined excellently with two other shots and two key passes.
Thrill of victory: His perfect 5th minute first-time shot put Seattle on the board. Ghosting into the box to receive a great Musovski pass, Ferreira did the rest.
Agony of defeat: In the 69th minute, Jesús had a big chance and dialed his own number, but may have had a better option had he laid it off. As he faded, so did Seattle’s control of the match.
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi – 5 | Community – 5.4 (off 59’ for Rusnák)
Kalani earned a start as a right winger and was mostly a non-factor, with 23 ineffective touches and a quiet evening. He put in a 60-minute shift and did an okay job limiting Paintsil from having much success down his side.
Thrill of victory: With 83 percent passing, when Kalani did get the ball he made relatively good choices with it. He added a tackle defensively in support of Alex behind him.
Agony of defeat: This wasn’t a strong outing from Kossa-Rienzi. Usually a dependable attacking option knifing in from the wing, Kalani was instead not able to impose himself on the match.
Forward
Danny Musovski – 8 (MOTM) | Community – 6.8 (off 80’ for Morris)
Moose got loose again, turning in an effective match where he was goal dangerous, scored, created other big chances including an early assist, and was a complete handful for LA. Although he tired late and was ultimately subbed out, Danny had an excellent return to Sounders soccer.
Thrill of victory: It was Moose earning a MOTM as he scored a goal, his 14th in MLS play this season. He continually gets into great spots and finishes clean.
Agony of defeat: Moose could have had multiple other goals, including a 37th minute attempt that he somehow missed 1-v-1, moments before he scored on a break away.
Substitutes
Albert Rusnák – 5 | Community – 5.6 (on 59’ for Kossa-Rienzi)
It was great to see Rusnák return, instantly slide into his customary creative position, and start connecting with teammates. In his short time on the field he was dynamic, creating three key passes and adding a shot in a third of a match.
Thrill of victory: Instant calm and control followed Rusnák onto the field, and he dialed up a number of key set pieces that could have been goals.
Agony of defeat: The rust was evident, like short-arming a 66th minute pass that could have put Rothrock in, and missing Jordan Morris in the 92nd minute to deny Seattle a storybook ending.
Nouhou – 5 | Community – 5.7 (on 59’ for Baker-Whiting)
Nouhou entered for Reed, who was tiring and on a yellow card, and he solidified the left side for much of the second half. His presence allowed Seattle more control, and his introduction with Rusnák meant the Sounders wrested possession back from LA.
Thrill of victory: Nouhou had two shots and three key passes, including an excellent 63rd minute ball that earned a corner almost immediately after coming on. He was impactful and helped Seattle create big chances after his arrival.
Agony of defeat: When Georgi Minoungou subbed onto the field with 10 minutes left, Nouhou should have understood his role was to give the dynamic winger space and let him cook. Instead, the left back was constantly over and underlapping into the space offensively, which is not his forte.
Jordan Morris – 5 | Community – 5.4 (on 80’ for Musovski)
It was awesome to see Jordan Morris back on the field after missing 10 matches. He jumped right back into the mix, stretching the field and looking to split the centerbacks for LA. He earned a shot and completed all his pass attempts in his short time on the field.
Thrill of victory: Anything he did was going to be great, because having him back on the field finally was exciting. He showed his attacking skills by winning a 91st minute header and showing how dangerous he can be in the box.
Agony of defeat: Ten minutes was enough to make a difference, and Jordan didn’t. It may take some time for the team and Morris to remember how to play together.
Georgi Minoungou – 5 | Community – 5.7 (on 80’ for Rothrock)
Georgi entered late and attempted to bring his brand of instant offense. He got close, but was unable to put Seattle over the top. He had two shots and a key pass.
Thrill of victory: In the 92nd minute he found Rusnák with a chance to win the match exactly as he should, one of a number of quality chances Georgi was involved in.
Agony of defeat: Georgi would have brought the house down in the 81st minute, when immediately after entering he tried a bicycle kick that was barely over the bar. Sigh.
Osaze De Rosario – 5 | Community – 5.3 (on 89’ for Ferreira)
Big man Osaze entered for the last few minutes and was active, finding space to combine and showing strong effort as Seattle nearly won late.
Thrill of victory: It was intriguing to see how well Jordan and Osaze worked together, as De Rosario had a number of holdup plays where he was able to combine with Morris. They looked very strong as a pairing.
Agony of defeat: With only a few minutes to work, there wasn’t much for Osaze to do, and he was unable to get Seattle over the top.
Referee
Rosendo Mendoza – 3 | Community – 3.4
Mendoza somehow went the entire match calling only six total fouls on LA. That about sums up the struggles for Seattle, who earned 11 fouls, two yellows, and were consistently unable to decipher what the referee was going to whistle. This was an adventure in refereeing, but not the good kind.
Thrill of victory: In the 77th minute Mendoza called a foul, and that was a highlight because Obed had finally earned a legitimate call after a game full of nonsense.
Agony of defeat: Giving a questionable card six minutes into the game set the wrong tone. It continued all evening, with Obed being hit in the face in the 11th minute that wasn’t even whistled, Musovski getting a similar foul to the yellow without similar punishment, and numerous late and highly questionable calls. It appeared Mendoza was reffing to the scoreline.
LA Galaxy MOTM
Goalkeeper Novak Mićović prevented 1.4 expected goals, keeping his side in it to snatch a road draw. Of note, he had big saves on big 1-v-1 chances from Rothrock and Musovski in the 35th and 37th minutes, respectively. He was lucky to see Minoungou’s bike flash over.
Upcoming: Across the country for a rematch against the sore losers.
