2014 Western Conference Championship, Leg One
Score: Sounders FC 0 vs LA Galaxy 1
Site: StubHub Center
Man of the Match: Filling in for an injured Osvaldo Alonso, Micheal Azira had another strong outing as the starting central midfielder alongside Gonzalo Pineda. Azira kept the Galaxy’s central pair of Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas in check for most of the 80 minutes he played on Sunday. It was the first career appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs for Azira, who started three matches late in the season while Pineda was injured.
Telling Stat: 3. While the Galaxy took twice as many shots as Sounders FC, each team had three shots on target in the game. Seattle’s backline held its ground whenever LA had possession in the penalty area. The Sounders have given up just one goal in the run of play in their last four matches, dating back to the 2-0 win over LA in the regular-season finale.
What You Missed: Sounders FC was without two key contributors in the midfield, as Alonso and Lamar Neagle did not suit up for the match. Alonso sat out with the hamstring injury he suffered in the second leg of the Conference Semifinals, while Neagle returned home from LA early to deal with a personal matter.
So What: The Galaxy hold the advantage after the first leg, but next Sunday’s second leg will be played at CenturyLink Field. Defensively, Seattle has been much stronger at home than on the road this year. When the two teams last met in Seattle, the Sounders won 2-0 to clinch the Supporters’ Shield. The team that advances from this series will host MLS Cup 2014 on December 7. Another two-goal victory at home against the Galaxy would do it for Seattle. If the Sounders lead 1-0 after regulation in the second leg, the series will be decided by an overtime period and then penalty kicks.
