You can put the season in the books, the LA Galaxy avoid a trip to the knockout round and are headed straight to the semifinals to take on RSL.
Talk about “gettin’ outta dodge” – the LA Galaxy avoided a loss, controversy, a trip to the knockout round, and locked up the third seed in the 2013 MLS playoffs with a 1-1 tie against the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field on Sunday.
Seattle, who was desperately looking for a win, came out aggressive from the jump. ’18 in Sounders forward Eddie Johnson put a shot into the back of the net, but was called for offsides by head official Mark Geiger. 12 minutes later, Seattle forward Lamar Neagle set up US National Team star, Clint Dempsey for his first MLS goal. Dempsey slipped one just off the fingertips of LA keeper Jaime Penedo, ending his longest goal scoring drought in his career (590 minutes) when he put his Sounders club up 1-0.
12 minutes later controversy struck for the Galaxy when Omar Gonzalez headed in a corner kick that cleared the line, but was ruled clear by Seattle midfielder Osvaldo Alonso. Despite an irate Gonzalez, an assistant referee who had a picture perfect view of the shot, the Galaxy still trailed 1-0 up to this point.
HALFTIME
Everything seemed to happen in twelve minute increments, and the second half didn’t change. 12 minutes into the second half, the Galaxy finally got their equalizer. Robbie Keane, took an assist from Hector Jimenez and put his 16th goal of the year beyond the outstretched arms of Michael Gspurning and even the game at 1-1 for the games final goal (final score 1-1).
The Galaxy they wrap up the 2013 regular season with a 15-11-8 record (53 points). Landon Donovan, looking to become the all-time regular season goal leader with goal 135, only managed one shot on net. Donovan had an opportunity but was rejected by Gspurning at the ’25 mark.
Not only do the Galaxy lock up the third seed in the postseason tournament, they most importantly avoid the knockout round with the Colorado Rapids (14-11-9). Seattle (15-12-7) gets the wonderful opportunity of playing for their soccer lives on October 30 as the home team against the Rapids. Seattle earned their dismal seeding though, the Sounders ended the season going winless over their final eight matches.
LA meanwhile, will be preparing for their semifinals match with Western Conference second seed, Real Salt Lake. The Galaxy will have their work cut out for them, for a majority of the stretch RSL was the leader in the conference but just fell to second in the final days as Portland earned the number one spot.
With that said, LA will need to shape up before next Sundays home game (11/3/13) with RSL. The Galaxy only managed one goal over their final two games after scoring six in their previous two. They do have a defensive effort to brag about though. What will likely be a headline heading into this week’s coverage is the fact the Galaxy have nearly pitched a shutout in their last four matches. LA has outscored their opponents 6-1 with the lone goal coming Sunday night to Seattle.
Copyright 2013 SportSpeak LLC, all rights reserved. For more coverage, follow @SportSpeakLA and @SportSpeakOC on Twitter.
