Sounders FC vs LA Galaxy
2014 MLS Cup Playoffs - Western Conference Championship, Leg Two
Sunday, November 30; 6:20 p.m. PST; CenturyLink Field
TV/Radio: ESPN; KIRO Radio 97.3 FM/Sirius XM FC (Channel 94), ESPN Deportes Radio 1490 AM (Spanish)
For eight long months, Sounders FC battled to earn what it has this weekend: home-field advantage in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
CenturyLink Field will play host to Sunday's decisive Second Leg of the Western Conference Championship featuring the Sounders and LA Galaxy. Seattle needs a victory to reach the club’s first MLS Cup Final.
“We know that we have to win the game in order to get to MLS Cup, and our goal is to get to MLS Cup,” Head Coach Sigi Schmid said. “We’re excited that we’re able to play at home, because our fans are going to give us that little bit of extra edge that we need.”
After falling, 1-0, in last weekend’s First Leg, Sounders FC must win by at least two goals to advance. A 1-0 victory for Schmid’s club would force extra time, as well as penalty kicks if needed.
The Galaxy are currently on a five-match winless streak in games played away from the StubHub Center. If the Sounders can preserve that streak and get a victory on Sunday, they will host MLS Cup 2014 on December 7. The home team has won each of the past three MLS Cup Finals.
Stefan Frei plays with thousands of the Emerald City Supporters chanting right behind him every home match. The atmosphere at CenturyLink Field is unlike anything the 28-year-old goalkeeper has seen in his career.
“Them being so close to you, you do feel like they are right behind you and they have your back,” Frei said. “They’re ready to step on the field and cover you if they need to, so to speak. When we attack, especially towards our fans, for some reason we like to score on that side. It has to do with the fans just being there and giving us that extra push to try to find the back of the net.”
The Galaxy gave up 23 goals on the road compared to 14 at home in the regular season. Seattle has a dynamic set of forwards in Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins – the highest-scoring duo in club history – though the Rave Green have learned not to rely too much on that tandem.
“We tend to sit back and work really hard defensively and then watch those guys take off,” captain Brad Evans said. “We know they’re going to get something out of it, but that time that they don’t, that means it’s a turnover and they’re quick outside the flanks, and they’re right back down our throat.”
Another group of players that could play a crucial role on Sunday is the central midfielders on both sides.
Pertaining to Seattle, Osvaldo Alonso may be back in action after the four-time All-Star missed the First Leg with a hamstring injury. LA central midfielder Marcelo Sarvas, meanwhile, was forced to exit that game in the 52nd minute with a leg injury. Sarvas scored each of the Galaxy’s last two goals against Seattle.
Pre-match coverage of Sunday’s game will begin at 6:20 p.m. PST on ESPN.
