The LA Galaxy struck for an early penalty kick and never looked back, eventually cruising to a 3-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference matchup between the sides at StubHub Center on Sunday.

Forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck from the spot in the 10th minute, while Ola Kamara and Emmanuel Boateng added tallies of their own to pace the hosts. With the defeat, the Sounders dropped to 13-11-5 and remained at 44 points on the season.

The Galaxy drew first blood after Sounders defender Brad Smith was whistled for bringing down Kamara in his own penalty box, allowing Ibrahimovic to cash the opener past Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

Kamara then doubled that advantage in the 40th after redirecting a laser cross from Romain Alessandrini into the net, giving the Galaxy a 2-0 lead they would take into the halftime locker room. Boateng added the insurance just after second-half kickoff to seal the final scoreline.

THREE TAKEAWAYS

MARSHALL ABSENCE LOOMS

The Sounders had been playing lights-out defense over the course of their MLS record nine-game winning streak that came to an end against the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, and the presence of Chad Marshall in the middle has acted as the anchor. Without their stalwart center back, who didn’t make the trip after taking a knock to the head on Wednesday night, Seattle struggled to contain a Galaxy attack that doesn’t lack in dynamic pieces and took advantage of its opportunities following the opener from Ibrahimovic.

INJURY BUG RETURNS

Seattle had managed to stay largely healthy over the course of its recent hot streak, but the rigors and grind of the MLS season seem to be setting in as the calendar storms toward October. In addition to Marshall, the Sounders were without the services of midfielder Harry Shipp (hamstring), who has also been instrumental during the winning streak. Star striker Raúl Ruidíaz also is not playing at 100 percent due to a banged up ankle, while left back Brad Smith was forced from Sunday’s contest early due to a right hamstring strain.

RAPIDS UP NEXT

A return home can sometimes work wonders during a dip in form, so the Sounders will hope that can be the cure for what has turned into a two-match losing streak coming off the historic nine-game run. Seattle take on the Colorado Rapids at CenturyLink Field on Saturday, Sept. 29, a game that will allow them to maintain their perch above the red line should they get back in the win column.

SCORING SUMMARY
LA - Zlatan Ibrahimovic 9'
LA - Ola Kamara (Romain Alessandrini, Zlatan Ibrahimovic) 40'
LA - Emmanuel Boateng (Romain Alessandrini) 52'

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
LA - Rolf Feltscher (Unsporting Behavior) 31'
LA - Daniel Steres (Unsporting Behavior) 75'