Galaxy beat Sounders 1-0 in Game 1 of MLS Western Conference final

  • By Don Ruiz The News Tribune
  • Sunday, November 23, 2014 4:38pm
  • SportsSports

CARSON, Calif. — The Seattle Sounders lost a game Sunday, but they stressed that they remain in position to win the series.

The Los Angeles Galaxy opened the Western Conference finals with a 1-0 win before a sellout crowd of 27,000 at StubHub Center. The two-game, aggregate-score series will resolve Sunday (Nov. 30) in Seattle.

“Of the three results that you want it’s obviously the latter,” midfielder Brad Evans said. “But the reality is we still give ourselves a chance coming home now. And I think coming into the locker room we feel confident that we can play better in all aspects.”

The Sounders had their share of chances to equalize. And the Galaxy had plenty of chances to increase its cushion. However, the only shot that reached the back of the net came in the 52nd minute, when Marcelo Sarvas fired a shot that skimmed off the leg of defender Chad Marshall and past goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

“It hit off the side of my calf,” Marshall said. “(Sarvas) cut it back; I tried to get out there on it. Unfortunately it hits my calf. I didn’t see it after that … but I’m sure it hit enough that it throws Stefan.”

Coach Sigi Schmid thought the problems began well before that.

“The start of that goal was really on the right-hand side of the field,” Schmid said. “They were playing three against two for us for about a minute and we didn’t get a defender out there to help and turn it into a three-against-three. And that allowed the ball to get back into the middle, and then Sarvas hits a shot that I think Stefan’s going to save if it doesn’t get the deflection.”

That goal will have to be made up at CenturyLink Field. And it could take more than a simple one-goal win, as the Sounders failure to score at L.A. could come back to haunt them in a series that values road goals as the first tie-breaker. That sets up a second leg in which L.A. advances with a win or a draw or even a one-goal loss by any score other than 1-0. A Sounders 1-0 win would send the game to added time and penalty kicks if needed. Otherwise, the Sounders need to win by two goals to advance.

“We’ve still got everything to play for in the second game,” Seattle forward Clint Dempsey said. “You would have to think that you would have to score to advance, so we’ve got to get goals. But at the same time keep playing the way we’re playing. We’re creating chances.”

Some of Seattle’s best chances came from Dempsey and Obafemi Martins. Each had first-half chances in back-to-back shots that Galaxy goalkeeper Jamie Penedo snuffed. Penedo came up big again in a one-on-one situation with Dempsey in the second half.

“The first one was a deflection and the ball kind of came high on me,” Dempsey said. “So what I tied to do was just try to get it down, and the keeper made a good reaction save. The other one was a give-and-go with Oba and the ball was kind of behind me a little bit so I dragged it with my left foot — I had a good first touch — but I didn’t have much of an angle. The only thing I had was to try and chip him. He barely got a hand on it.”

The Sounders played without midfielders Osvaldo Alonso and Lamar Neagle.

Alonso was held out with a lingering leg injury that Schmid indicated was about 80 percent Sunday and is expected to be healed enough for his return next weekend.

Neagle’s absence was more of a surprise, with the club announcing about an hour before the match that he had been allowed to return to the Northwest “to deal with a serious personal matter.”

“Certainly those guys help our team,” Schmid said. “Neagle’s got nine goals and nine assists, so he’s somebody who that helps us on the attacking. And obviously Ozzie is Ozzie. We hope they both will be available next week and it would make things better.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.