Sounders FC vs LA Galaxy
2014 MLS Cup Playoffs - Western Conference Championship, Leg Two
Sunday, November 30; 6:20 p.m. PST; CenturyLink Field
TV/Radio: ESPN; KIRO Radio 97.3 FM/Sirius XM FC (Channel 94), ESPN Deportes Radio, 1490 AM (Spanish)
This is the one we’ve all been waiting for. Either Sounders FC overcomes its 1-0 deficit to the LA Galaxy and advance to MLS Cup…or the club’s season ends.
Simple as that.
With each side sporting a nearly full complement of players to choose from, it should be quite the battle. There are some questions about the health of Ozzie Alonso for Seattle, as well as A.J. DeLaGarza and Marcelo Sarvas for LA, but expect all three to play some part in Sunday’s fixture.
Here are the match-ups you should keep an eye on this evening at CenturyLink Field.
Seattle CBs vs. Robbie Keane
One of the finalists for Volkswagen MLS MVP, Keane has been a terror all season for the Galaxy, and his veteran guile will be on display on the Xbox Pitch. A very crafty player, the 34-year-old Irishman will test the Seattle backline—which includes 2014 MLS Defender of the Year Chad Marshall—whenever he has the ball as the Galaxy look for that vital away goal.
Obafemi Martins vs. Jaime Penedo
The LA Galaxy haven’t allowed a single goal in three matches in the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs. A big reason for that has been the play of Penedo, which has been nothing short of sensational. The Panamanian shot-stopper has made acrobatic save after acrobatic save en route to his three straight clean sheets. It may be up to Obafemi Martins and his goal-poaching abilities to stop this impressive run from LA.
Sounders FC vs. Away-Goals Rule
The Sounders know the position that they are in. After failing to score in the First Leg of the Western Conference Championship, the club is now in a very delicate position. An LA goal at CenturyLink Field will force Sigi Schmid’s side to score three to overcome the deficit, which is not ideal by any stretch. A clean sheet and a goal for Seattle will lead to extra-time. A clean sheet and anything more than the one goal and it’ll be a first MLS Cup Final for the Rave Green. In other words, tonight’s match is excellently teed up and should be an excellent attacking contest.
