Galaxy vs. Sounders Preview

By: jen | August 15th, 2009

I have to say that as the summer is winding down and the kids are almost back in school, I am getting a bit late and lazy with these previews. Last weekend I was sick as a dog, but this weekend I have no excuse. I promise to do better in the future! And much love to my co-blogger Nathan for writing entertaining and thorough post game analyses.

So here’s my late preview.

Seattle, formerly in the top two teams in the Western Conference, have slipped to fourth place in the West, while the Galaxy has surged ahead to second place. But don’t be fooled, the Sounders and the Galaxy are only separated by two points (29 points vs. 31 points).

The teams are fairly evenly matched. Seattle enjoys a dangerous offensive thrust from players Steve Zakuani, Freddie Lundberg, Nate Jaqua, and Fredy Montero. Their defense isn’t so bad either with Brad Evans, Tyrone Marshall (we know he can play), Patrick Ianni, and of course Kasey Keller.

The Galaxy’s defense is as good or better than Seattle’s. I think the match ups to watch are Miglioranzi/Lewis versus Lundberg, and Gonzalez versus Montero. Gonzalez and Berhalter should easily take away Jaqua’s offensive threats in the air. It’s the speed of Montero that will need to be watched carefully.

Offensively, the Galaxy is not likely to play starters Eskandarian and Buddle. They are still listed as “questionable.” That means Alan Gordon and Jovan Kirovski (cringe) will probably start up top. Hopefully Kirovski will still have some of the touch and opportunism that helped him to score in our last match. Gordon, well, I’m always rooting for the guy. Hopefully he’ll be able to get some service in the air.

Donovan is expected to play, although I doubt he feels one hundred percent. With Esky and Buddle out, though, you just can’t not play Landon. I would assume that he has been resting, resting, resting since his return to L.A. on Thursday. I trust Bruce Arena to make the best decision for his personal health and for the benefit of the team.

I DO hope Donovan plays and can open up another can of whoop-ass on Ianni like he did last year when Ianni played for Houston.

(Yes, I know I post this a lot, but it is one of my all-time favorite Donovan moments!)

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: Player News

« Landon has Swine Flu | Home | Look What Came In the Mail »

Dustin

Moon, you don't know what the heck you're talking about. That was a red card through and through, cleats up, he made contact (albeit glancing or weak contact). Every FIFA referee from Europe or England is told and tells us that this is a red card, if they don't call it sometimes maybe they just don't see it properly, or they're cutting slack. This is however the definition of a Red Card, and a "Intelligent" or Educated referee who reads the Laws of the Game and listens to his FIFA teachers knows this.
David

I stopped paying attention after the first goal. I missed the Becks red because my kids were behaving like Mexican soccer fans at Azteca and needed some parental attention. Seems like a harsh call, but the Bruce is quoted as having said it was probably deserved. After that, the result was inevitable. Bringing on Donovan at half gave the Gals some momentum, but it lasted about 10 minutes. Other than that, Seattle owned the night. I must admit, I am still jealous about their sponsor.
Colin

Sounders shouldn't be too happy with this win... questionable red cards and a sick Donovan. I think we'll still pick up a win in Chicago, sans Lewis and Beckham.

It is obvious that we are missing Esky and Buddle, though. Our current forward options in Gordon and Kirovski are WEAK.
Moon

That was not malicious tackle at all! That thing happens A LOT of the time, in fact, in EVERY GAME in other leagues in the World, and of course, more notably in Europe..and that tackle always got a yellow card FROM AN INTELLIGENT REF/OFFICIAL..ESPECIALLY WHEN IT OCCURED THAT VERY EARLY IN THE GAME AND IT BEING THE FIRST OFFENCE FROM THE PLAYER! Just look at the Liverpool/Spurs' match being held on the same day after the match..Lennon and some other players did exactly the same or worse tackle than Becks did here..but they didn't got a card at all, only a foul and warning and letter on Lennon only got a yellow..and the referee just WENT ON AND LET THE PLAYERS TO DETERMINE THE GAME, NOT HIM! And the red card only came in the last resort or when it clearly was malicious at those tackle, like players fight and so on!

That is just one example..I don't even want to talk about the cards and the NON-CALL fouls in the game.

Goes to show that MLS is still million years away to be reaching the higher standard of football/soccer, or worse..just stay below forever if they keep on keeping these referees or don't do anything to educate them!
Glen

I don't think he was trying to break his leg just a bad tackle, sh*t happens.
Dustin

I know Beckham was hugging his former teammate before the game. Why in the world was he trying to break his leg during the game though?
ME

All I can say is that..Seattle got a WEAK win for this game. 11 v 10 and then 10 v 9..WTF??! No wonder MLS has a long way to go to be on par with other soccer leagues - the referees are SUCKS!!! Freddie Ljeungberg (and Becks) was right..the refs are one of the main problems in MLS!

And I am definitely sure I'm right in saying that the Sounders' win is a weak win, coz they only scored AFTER Becks was sent off.

Will there be another game against them? I would like to see the full strength LA Galaxy squad with Beckham, Landon healthy and fit versus the full strength Sounders..then we can see who is the better team..and NOT this farce won against a team being crippled by the refs!
jen

Second half starting. Let's go Landon!!
jen

Ha-ha! I'm watching Direct Kick which is being called by the Seattle broadcasters (including Greg Vanney). Their mics are live during commercials and I just heard them say, "Alright, let's not let this thing get away from us. We need to get another goal. They are going to score one this half."

Hope he's right!

(It's also kinda fun watching Greg Vanney adjust his tie while staring into the monitor.)
Frank

I can't watch the game after the red card. Will maybe watch a replay later if it isn't too much of a disaster. It's time for music instead. Darn!!
jen

Crap, Seattle goal. This is going to be a looooong game.
jen

Well, that's too bad on that tackle and card to Beckham. He and Pete are good friends, Becks would never intend to hurt him like that.
Lee

Hopefully we can see a half out of Buddle and/or Esky.
We're going to need them in form to ensure a playoff
spot and definitely to progress in the playoffs.

I'm looking forward to this game. I'll be heading for
the HDC in about an hour.