MLS Regular Season
Score: Sounders FC 0 vs. LA Galaxy 1
Goal-scorers: Alan Gordon (23’)
Site: StubHub Center
Man of the Match:Osvaldo Alonso had a strong outing in his second appearance of the season after missing the first three matches while recovering from offseason groin surgery. Playing without his usual partner in the central midfield – Gonzalo Pineda was suspended due to his red card last weekend – Alonso went the full 90 minutes and showed just why he’s a perennial MLS All-Star. The 29-year-old Designated Player broke up many of LA’s attacking plays with stellar tackles and was accurate on his passing in the midfield.
Telling Stat: Despite being held scoreless, the Rave Green set season highs for shots (14) and shots on target (10). Jaime Penedo’s 10 saves were the most by an opposing goalkeeper in Sounders FC history and the second-highest total by any MLS player in the last five seasons.
Seattle had six shots on target in the first half, four of which were taken by Lamar Neagle. After not recording a shot in his first four games of the season, Neagle had six attempts (five on target) Sunday night.
What You Missed: Clint Dempsey did not travel with the team to LA due to a hamstring injury. Neagle started at forward alongside Obafemi Martins for the first time this season, and rookie Cristian Roldan filled Neagle’s usual spot in the outside midfield. Third-year defender Dylan Remick made his second straight start at left back.
So What: Sounders FC now has the exact same record (2-2-1) that it had after five matches of the 2014 season. Last year, the club went on to win its first Supporters’ Shield by finishing with the league’s best record. Seattle is back in action this Saturday night at the Colorado Rapids before returning home to play its first Cascadia match of the season on Sunday, April 26 against the Portland Timbers.
