Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy
2014 MLS Cup Playoffs - Western Conference Championship, Leg One
Sunday, November 23; 2:00 pm PT; StubHub Center
TV/Radio: ESPN; 770 KTTH; ESPN Deportes Radio, 1490 AM (Spanish)
LA’s Record: The Galaxy finished second in the Western Conference with 61 points (17-7-10).
Head-to-Head: Sounders FC went 1-1-1 against LA during the regular season. In the only matchup at the StubHub Center, the two teams drew, 2-2, a result that kept them tied on points heading into the regular-season finale. Seattle defeated LA 2-0 on October 25 to win the Supporters’ Shield.
All-Time Series: The Sounders are 4-6-5 in regular-season games and 1-3-0 in MLS Cup Playoff matches against LA. The Galaxy were victorious in Seattle’s first appearance in the Conference Championship in 2012.
Injury Report: Sounders FC – OUT: F Kevin Parsemain (ACL Tear). QUESTIONABLE: M Osvaldo Alonso (Hamstring Strain), M Andy Rose (R Knee Bone Bruise). LA Galaxy – OUT: None. QUESTIONABLE: D Todd Dunivant (L Groin Tear), D Leonardo (R Hamstring Strain), D James Riley (L Knee Surgery).
Key Player: A U.S. Men’s National Team regular, Omar Gonzalez commands an LA backline that gave up the fewest goals in MLS. The 26-year-old centerback missed the October 25 match in Seattle that decided the Supporters’ Shield due to red-card suspension. He and Sounders FC centerback Chad Marshall are both finalists for 2014 MLS Defender of the Year.
Notes: Sounders FC is three matches away from becoming the first team to achieve the American treble of a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title, Supporters’ Shield, and MLS Cup in the same year. … This is Seattle’s second trip to the Western Conference Championship in three years. A series victory over LA would send the Sounders to the MLS Cup Final for the first time. … Sounders FC’s Sigi Schmid and LA’s Bruce Arena are the two winningest Head Coaches in league history. … Obafemi Martins, who notched a club-record 17 goals in the regular season, is looking for the first playoff goal and the first goal against the Galaxy of his career. … LA forward and MLS MVP finalist Robbie Keane scored three goals in the Conference Championship against Seattle in 2012. … Playing in the final postseason of his career, Landon Donovan of the Galaxy is two assists shy of the MLS record for playoff assists. He already holds the record for most playoff goals with 25. … LA is 16-1-4 at the StubHub Center this year.
