SB Nation Los Angeles - LA Galaxy Defeat Seattle In First Leg 1-0 On Buddle Goalhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2010-11-01T10:28:23-07:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/15432472010-11-01T10:28:23-07:002010-11-01T10:28:23-07:00LA Galaxy Defeat Seattle In First Leg Of Semifinals
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<p>With a week of debate over the merits of three <span class="caps">MVP</span> finalists, it seems like every soccer writer has taken a side between <span>Edson Buddle</span>, <span>Chris Wondolowski</span>, and David Ferreia. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110934/landon-donovan">Landon Donovan</a> has taken a side as well:</p>
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<p>“[Edson]‘s the <span class="caps">MVP</span> of the league, I don’t care what anybody says. It’s pretty clear he’s got something special this year”</p>
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<p>The second half didn’t quite measure up to the first in terms of excitement. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/los-angeles-galaxy">Los Angeles Galaxy</a> only took two shots and the Seattle Sounds three as the defenses really clamped down in the final 45 minutes. <span>David Beckham</span> had the only shot on target for the Galaxy, taking a free kick after Edson Buddle suffered a foul in the 70’. Seattle never tested <span>Donovan Ricketts</span> in the second half.</p>
<p>There were a pile of yellow cards, which should have an affect on the next leg. <span>Dema Kovalenko</span>, <span>Jovan Kirovski</span>, and Juninho all were booked and will have to avoid picking up a second yellow or be suspended for the Western Conference final should the Galaxy move on. For Seattle, forwards Freddy Montero and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110895/blaise-nkufo">Blaise Nkufo</a> both picked up yellows.</p>
<p>The Galaxy put to rest many pundits belief that they wouldn’t be able to get a result in Seattle. Though the Galaxy had picked up a 4-0 result in Seattle earlier in the year, the general dissenting position was that Seattle was at such top form while the Galaxy had looked shaky which meant they would have a devil of a time inside very tough Quest Field.</p>
<p>Since <span class="caps">MLS</span> went to its current playoff format in 2003, the home team has dropped the first leg just five times, and has come back to win only once.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-galaxy/2010/11/1/1787137/la-galaxy-defeat-seattle-in-first-leg-of-semifinalsJosie Becker2010-10-31T18:28:42-07:002010-10-31T18:28:42-07:00LA Galaxy Lead Seattle 1-0 At Halftime
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<p>For most of the first half, the <a href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Sounders</a> looked to be in control. The Sounders crowd was typically loud, they were dominating possession and the shot chart. In the 37' however, <span>Edson Buddle</span> corralled a field length pass from <span>Omar Gonzalez</span>, then calmed turned a launched a rainbow toward the net. The shot caught <span>Kasey Keller</span> too far away from his goal, and fell effortlessly into the back corer, putting the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/los-angeles-galaxy" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Galaxy</a> up 1-0. </p>
<p>Keller had been tested once before, on a <span>David Beckham</span> 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 <span>Sanna Nyassi</span> was rightly ruled offsides. The other attempts came from the usual suspects, two shots on goal from <span>Fredy Montero</span> and two more from <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110895/blaise-nkufo" class="sbn-auto-link">Blaise Nkufo</a>. Ricketts was able to get a glove on all of them, though a diving attempt had him coming up holding his side. </p>
<p><span>Dema Kovalenko</span> 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. <span>Josh Saunders</span> was seen warming up before the second half got under way. </p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-galaxy/2010/10/31/1785979/la-galaxy-lead-seattle-1-0-at-halftimeJosie Becker2010-10-31T16:57:15-07:002010-10-31T16:57:15-07:00Starting XI For LA Galaxy At Seattle Sounders
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<p><strong><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/los-angeles-galaxy" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Galaxy</a></strong><br> 1 Donovan Ricketts GK <br> 6 <span>Eddie Lewis</span> <span class="caps">DEF</span><br> 4 <span>Omar Gonzalez</span> <span class="caps">DEF</span><br> 20 <span>A.J. DeLaGarza</span> <span class="caps">DEF</span><br> 28 <span>Sean Franklin</span> <span class="caps">DEF</span><br> 10 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110934/landon-donovan" class="sbn-auto-link">Landon Donovan</a> <span class="caps">MID</span><br> 19 Juninho <span class="caps">MID</span><br> 21 <span>Dema Kovalenko</span> <span class="caps">MID</span><br> 23 <span>David Beckham</span> <span class="caps">MID</span><br> 14 <span>Edson Buddle</span> <span class="caps">FWD</span><br> 18 <span>Mike Magee</span> <span class="caps">FWD</span></p>
<p>Subs: Saunders, Berhalter, Cazumba, Klein, Kirovski, Birchall, Bowen</p>
<p>notes: <span>Todd Dunivant</span> is out with a hamstring injury giving Eddie Lewis his first start since season opener.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Sounders</a> FC</strong><br> 18 Kasey Keller GK<br> 7 <span>James Riley</span> <span class="caps">DEF</span><br> 31 <span>Jeff Parke</span> <span class="caps">DEF</span><br> 4 <span>Patrick Ianni</span> <span class="caps">DEF</span><br> 19 <span>Leo Gonzalez</span> <span class="caps">DEF</span><br> 23 <span>Sanna Nyassi</span> <span class="caps">MID</span><br> 6 <span>Osvaldo Alonso</span> <span class="caps">MID</span><br> 12 <span>Nathan Sturgis</span> <span class="caps">MID</span><br> 11 <span>Steve Zakuani</span> <span class="caps">MID</span><br> 17 <span>Fredy Montero</span> <span class="caps">FWD</span><br> 9 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110895/blaise-nkufo" class="sbn-auto-link">Blaise Nkufo</a> <span class="caps">FWD</span></p>
<p>Subs: Boss, Fernandez, Fucito, Jaqua, Levesque, Marshall, Scott</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-galaxy/2010/10/31/1785859/starting-xi-for-la-galaxy-at-seattle-soundersJosie Becker2010-10-31T14:19:06-07:002010-10-31T14:19:06-07:00Players To Watch For: LA Galaxy At Seattle Sounders
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<p>The playoffs always bring in new fans, so here’s a quick refresher of Seattle’s standouts as well as the key players for the Galaxy.</p>
<p>Columbian <span>Fredy Montero</span> is Seattle’s key forward; over a stretch of 11 games through June to August, Montero scored seven goals and added six assists. However he only has three goals outside of this stretch and hasn’t found the back of the net since August 28th, though he has recorded one assist. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110895/blaise-nkufo">Blaise Nkufo</a>, who has 27 caps with Switzerland, joined the club after the world cup and contributed five goals. <span>Steve Zakuani</span>, first pick in the 2009 <span class="caps">MLS</span> Superdraft had two goals and five assists over the last six games, tallying 10 goals on the season.</p>
<p>Zakuani and Montero on the left side represent 20 goals for the Sounders, so it’ll be interesting to see who Bruce Arena matches up on that side. Likely <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110934/landon-donovan">Landon Donovan</a> will be in that mix, but whether he starts at Forward or in the Midfield will dictate who his mate on the left side of the field is. Donovan has had a league leading 16 assists for the Galaxy, while his partner in crime <span>Edson Buddle</span> has struck home 17 goals, second best in <span class="caps">MLS</span>.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-galaxy/2010/10/31/1785609/players-to-watch-for-la-galaxy-at-seattle-soundersJosie Becker2010-10-31T11:41:56-07:002010-10-31T11:41:56-07:00Los Angeles Galaxy Face Seattle Sounders In MLS Cup First Round
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<p>After a long regular season which saw the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/los-angeles-galaxy">Los Angeles Galaxy</a> claim the Supporter's Shield, it has come time for the MLS Cup tourney. As with every great tournament, the first round serves as a sorting out stage amongst many worthy contenders and the Galaxy's first round host, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a>, are no different. Seattle, one of six teams from the west to qualify, finished fourth in the Western Conference with 48 pts from 30 matches. On July 11th, after losing to the LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center, the Sounders were in seventh place and well out of the playoffs. Since then they've won 10 of their final 14 matches, securing a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs three weeks ago. </p>
<p>Needless to say, the Galaxy are marching into Seattle for this first leg matchup to face a team in top form. The Galaxy finished at the top of the league with 59 points over 30 games, but they also began the season with a 12 game unbeaten steak (10-0-2) which put them at 32 pts after just 12 games. The debate runs eternal: do you find fault with the Galaxy only getting 27 points out of their last 18 games (8-7-3) or do you give them credit for going wire to wire at the top of the table. The Galaxy starting XI, while loaded with talent, has had to learn to play without <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110934/landon-donovan">Landon Donovan</a> and <span>Edson Buddle</span>, then work them back into the fold, then find a way to fold <span>David Beckham</span> in. </p>
<p>The Sounders come into the MLS Cup playoffs with a seven game home unbeaten streak. The Sounders set a regular season attendance record, averaging 36, 173 fans. So for any team marching into Quest field marching out with points is no small task. However the Galaxy, back when they were in top form, tallied a 4-0 victory over Seattle at Quest field. How much that early result still means is debatable, but it does provide a point of focus. Despite all the talk of the fans, the streak, the artificial turf, that early result still stands. </p>
<p>The Galaxy scored 44 goals in 30 games, tied with Colorado for 2nd best in MLS and one fewer than <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a>; Seattle scored 39 goals in 30 games, sixth most in MLS. The Galaxy's 4 goals at Quest Field on May 8th was their season high, while the Sounders didn't achieve their season high until a 4-0 win at Columbus on September 18th. The Galaxy were shut out eight times to the Sounders' seven, although five of the Sounders' shutouts came before June 1st. </p>
<p>Sounders FC come into the match as one of the hottest teams in MLS. They recorded 5 consecutive wins from Sep 18th to Oct 15th, before losing their season finale to Houston; Only Real Salt Lake had a win streak that long. Over the second half of the season, Seattle had more points than any other MLS team, seven more than Real Salt Lake and eight more than <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a>. The Galaxy were no slouches at the end, recording five victories in their last seven games, their only stumbles against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.burgundywave.com/">Colorado Rapids</a> in a match which could have clenched the Supporter's Shield and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.onceametro.com/">New York Red Bulls</a> in a heavily publicized match. The middle portion of the campaign hurt the Galaxy the most, going 3-5-3 from June 9 to September 4th.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-galaxy/2010/10/31/1785234/los-angeles-galaxy-face-seattle-sounders-in-mls-cup-first-roundJosie Becker2010-10-28T15:02:55-07:002010-10-28T15:02:55-07:00Three LA Galaxy Players Make Finals For MLS Awards
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<p><span>Edson Buddle</span>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/los-angeles-galaxy">Los Angeles Galaxy</a>’s team <span class="caps">MVP</span>, Golden Boot winner, and Humanitarian award winner, is up for another piece of hardware: the <span class="caps">MLS</span> <span class="caps">MVP</span> award. He’s in good company, as teammate <span>Omar Gonzalez</span> is up for Defender of the Year, and teammate <span>Donovan Ricketts</span> is in the running for Goalkeeper of the Year. For all three players this would be their first win in their respective award categories.</p>
<p>The winners will be announced over the coming weeks, with the Most Valuable Player and Commissioner’s award trophies being presented Novemeber 19, two days ahead of the <span class="caps">MLS</span> Cup. The other two candidates for <span class="caps">MLS</span> <span class="caps">MVP</span> are no surprise, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a>’ <span>David Ferreira</span> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.centerlinesoccer.com/">San Jose Earthquakes</a>’ <span>Chris Wondolowski</span>. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com" target="new">MLSSoccer.com</a>‘s Extra Time podcast on Monday discussed <span class="caps">MVP</span> voting with a discussion between Ferreira’s body of work and how much Wondolowski has meant to San Jose this season, scoring almost half their goals. Also mentioned was <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110934/landon-donovan">Landon Donovan</a>’s post-game quote from Sunday where he argued that Edson Buddle was penalized for going to the World Cup, as he had less goal opportunities over the course of the year.</p>
<p>Omar Gonzalez won the <span class="caps">MLS</span> Rookie of the Year award last year. This year he’s competing against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> defenders <span>Nat Borchers</span> and <span>Jamison Olave</span>. Gonzalez started 28 of the Galaxy’s 30 games racking up 2,250 minutes, the most for any Galaxy outfielder.</p>
<p>Donovan Rickett’s competition for Goalkeeper of the Year are <span>Kevin Hartman</span> of FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake’s <span>Nick Rimando</span>. Rickett’s set a club record with a 0.9 Goals against average this year and kept 11 clean sheets which ties a record Kevin Hartman set while with LA in 1999. This is his second year nominated for goalkeeper of the year.</p>
<p>Out of the nine finalists mentioned, eight play for either the Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, or FC Dallas, showing just how tough the competition for the top of the West was this year. Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas will face each other in the first round, creating controversy over the current <span class="caps">MLS</span> playoff system. The league overall number two and number three facing off in the first round has inspired some, including former Galaxy president Alexi Lalas, to suggest a more open 1 vs 8 etc. format for the coming years, and a renaming of the respective conferences.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-galaxy/2010/10/28/1780568/three-la-galaxy-players-make-finals-for-mls-awardsJosie Becker2010-10-28T08:41:31-07:002010-10-28T08:41:31-07:00LA Galaxy Begin Journey To MLS Cup In Seattle
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<p>Last Sunday, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/los-angeles-galaxy">Los Angeles Galaxy</a> clinched the Supporter's Shield with a 2-1 victory over Dallas. Also as a result of that match, the Galaxy head to Seattle to face <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a> FC on Sunday in the first leg of a two-game aggregate series between the No. 1 and No. 4 teams in the Western Conference. The
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second leg of the home and home series will be played back at Home Depot Center next Sunday. </p>
<p>The winner of this series will go on to the Western Conference Championship, which is played at the home of the game's higher seeded team during the second week of November. The winner of that match goes on to the MLS Cup in Toronoto, Sunday November 21. Toronto will also host the Supporter's Summit, where the Galaxy will receive their Supporter's Shield Trophy. </p>
<p>This is the third meeting between the two clubs in MLS play this season, with the Galaxy emerging victorious both times. The first match was a 4-0 drubbing in Seattle, with the second match played at Home Depot Center on July 4th. The July 4th match was the first back for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110934/landon-donovan">Landon Donovan</a> and <span>Edson Buddle</span> after the World Cup. Over the two games, Donovan had a goal and four assists. Edson Buddle, <span>Todd Dunivant</span>, <span>Omar Gonzalez</span>, Juninho and <span>Jovan Kirovski</span> all scored goals for the Galaxy. The two teams also met in the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup, with eventual champion Seattle winning that game 2-0. </p>
<p>Since MLS began play in 1996, five teams have won the Supporter's Shield and the MLS Cup in the same season. Columbus was the last team to do so in 2008, with the Galaxy doing so in 2002. The other teams to pull of the feat are Kansas City in 2000, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/dc-united">DC United</a> in 1999 and 1997. Those United teams were coached by current Galaxy coach Bruce Arena. </p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2010/10/28/2323283/la-galaxy-begin-journey-to-mls-cup-in-seattleJosie Becker