In front of an energized crowd of 57,673 at CenturyLink Field, Seattle Sounders FC (20-10-4, 64 points) topped the Los Angeles Galaxy (18-9-14, 61 points) by a score of 2-0 to claim the 2014 MLS Supporters' Shield. The Supporters' Shield, introduced by organized fan groups, is awarded annually to the supporters of the team with the best regular-season record in MLS.
The first regular-season title in Sounders FC history, today's victory ensures that the club has home-field advantage throughout the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs. Seattle's first home postseason match will take place on Monday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m. on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. Tickets for that match go on-sale to the general public on Monday, October 27 at 10:00 a.m. PST. Tickets will be available at www.SoundersFC.com or by calling 877-MLS-GOAL. Additional postseason details will be released by Major League Soccer over the coming days.
Thanks to two late goals from substitute Marco Pappa, Seattle wrapped-up the Supporters' Shield with a home record of 12-4-1 throughout 2014. Sounders FC's first strike came in the 85th minute, as Obafemi Martins received a give-and-go pass from Clint Dempsey off a quick free-kick, drawing two Galaxy defenders at the top of the 18-yard-box. Martins passed a through ball down the left side, which was handled by a streaking Pappa and placed into the back of LA's net.
With his 13th assist of 2014, Martins has now tied the club's single-season assist record. Martins' 13 helpers combine with his club-record 17 goals in a single campaign, as the Nigerian continues to make his case for the 2014 Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player Award. Sounders FC is 14-2-3 in matches when Martins records either a goal or an assist.
Pappa completed his brace in the 90th minute, finishing a loose ball past Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo to seal the victory in front of Seattle's raucous home support. The strike was Pappa's sixth goal of the season.
LA Galaxy outshot Sounders FC 13-4, as Seattle's goalkeeper Stefan Frei tallied four saves. The physical match included 40 fouls (21 conceded by LA Galaxy, 19 conceded by Sounders FC) and three yellow cards on each side.
MATCH SUMMARY
Venue: CenturyLink Field
Referee: Mark Geiger
Assistants: Sean Hurd, Ian Anderson
Fourth Official: Drew Fischer
Attendance: 57,673
Weather: 56 degrees and partly cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA - Marco Pappa (Obafemi Martins, Clint Dempsey) 85'
SEA - Marco Pappa 90'+5
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA -Dempsey (caution) 15'
LA -Gargan (caution) 22'
LA- Donovan (caution) 38'
SEA -Scott (caution) 51'
SEA -Pineda (caution) 71'
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC - Stefan Frei; DeAndre Yedlin, Chad Marshall, Zach Scott, Leo Gonzalez; Brad Evans-C (Marco Pappa, 73'), Osvaldo Alonso, Gonzalo Pineda, Lamar Neagle; Clint Dempsey (Djimi Traore, 89'), Obafemi Martins
Substitutes Not Used: Marcus Hahnemann, Jalil Anibaba, Micheal Azira, Kenny Cooper, Chad Barrett
Total Shots: 4 (Marco Pappa, 4)
Shots on Goal: 2 (Marco Pappa, 2)
Fouls: 19 (Clint Dempsey, 4)
Offside: 0
Corner Kicks: 6 (Gonzalo Pineda, 4)
Saves: 4 (Stefan Frei, 4)
LA Galaxy - Jaime Penedo; A.J. DeLaGarza, Dan Gargan (Jose Villarreal, 88'), Leonardo, Robbie Rogers; Baggio Husidic (Alan Gordon, 82'), Juninho, Marcelo Sarvas, Stefan Ishizaki; Landon Donovan-C, Gyasi Sarvas
Substitutes Not Used: Brian Rowe, Rafael Garcia, Tommy Meyer, Jose Villarreal, Kenney Walker
Total Shots: 13 (Landon Donovan, 4)
Shots on Goal: 3 (3 tied at 1)
Fouls: 21 (2 tied at 4)
Offside: 2 (2 tied at 1)
Corner Kicks: 5 (Stefan Ishizaki, 4)
Saves: 0
