Sounders FC renews its rivalry with the LA Galaxy in a critical Western Conference battle this Sunday night (6:30 p.m. PT / FOX Sports 1, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM). The Galaxy currently lead the Supporters’ Shield race, and both teams have a chance to clinch a playoff spot this weekend.
Here are three key positional battles to watch in Sunday’s contest.
Osvaldo Alonso vs. Steven Gerrard
Sunday will be the first MLS game at CenturyLink Field for Gerrard and fellow recently signed Designated Player Giovani dos Santos. The Galaxy are 6-3-1 since Gerrard arrived this past summer, including a 3-1 victory over Seattle at the StubHub Center. The former England National Team captain could meet his match on Sunday, when perennial MLS All-Star Alonso will be patrolling the midfield for Seattle. Alonso leads the league in passing percentage for the third straight season (92 percent), and will surely be fired up to play with his father in attendance for the very first time.
Clint Dempsey vs. Omar Gonzalez
Another star-studded matchup, the two U.S. National Team veterans will clash on Sunday before potentially teaming up against dos Santos and Mexico the following weekend. Dempsey has yet to play against LA this year, but the Sounders striker has been very successful in his appearances versus the Galaxy in the last few seasons, scoring three goals and helping set up three additional goals in six total games. Gonzalez, meanwhile, has been one of the top centerbacks in the league since joining the Galaxy in 2009 and has helped the club win three MLS Cups.
Tyrone Mears vs. Sebastian Lletget
Overshadowed by the Gerrard and dos Santos signings, Lletget joined the Galaxy a few months into the season and has been a star in his own right. The 23-year-old winger enjoyed an incredible start to his MLS career, when he netted six goals in his first 10 league appearances. He’s cooled off a bit since then, but Lletget still ranks second on the team with seven goals this season. This weekend the young midfielder could be matched up on the wing with Mears, another player that has been a standout performer in his first MLS campaign.
