For most of the first half, the Seattle Sounders looked to be in control. The Sounders crowd was typically loud, they were dominating possession and the shot chart. In the 37' however, Edson Buddle corralled a field length pass from Omar Gonzalez, then calmed turned a launched a rainbow toward the net. The shot caught Kasey Keller too far away from his goal, and fell effortlessly into the back corer, putting the Los Angeles Galaxy up 1-0.
Keller had been tested once before, on a David Beckham free kick from the left side that turned on a dime toward the goal despite having to travel some 15 yards on a straight line. The Sounders meanwhile pounded at Ricketts with six shots on target. The first attempt came in the first minute of the game but was right at Ricketts. The rebound was put in but ultimately waived off as Sanna Nyassi was rightly ruled offsides. The other attempts came from the usual suspects, two shots on goal from Fredy Montero and two more from Blaise Nkufo. Ricketts was able to get a glove on all of them, though a diving attempt had him coming up holding his side.
Dema Kovalenko has been warned for his rough play, but there haven't been any cards. LA is dominating the foul column having committed eight in the first half. Josh Saunders was seen warming up before the second half got under way.