The two teams with the most wins MLS since 2009, the two coaches with the most wins in MLS history and a rematch of last season’s Supporters’ Shield showdown and Western Conference Championship met for the first time in 2015 on Sunday. The matchup included one particularly historic performance, but unfortunately Sounders FC was on the wrong side of it. Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo set a new Sounders FC opponent record with 10 saves in the 1-0 LA victory.
That stat just barely scratches the surface. Now, let’s took a closer look at some more notable musings following Sunday’s match at the StubHub Center.
Seasonal Sizzles
Sounders FC currently sits in eighth place in the Western Conference with a 2-2-1 record, yet is tied for second in MLS with a plus-two goal differential. Sunday’s match marked Obafemi Martins’first without a goal, while Clint Dempsey continues to lead MLS with 1.01 goals per game among players who have played in at least 3 games.
The club’s 44 shots is the fewest in MLS, although its 24 shots on goal ranks third. Sounders FC is the only team in the league to put over half of its total shots on goal (54-percent).
Last Week’s Listings
After recording a league-low two offside calls through the first four games, Seattle was whistled five times on Sunday, the most since June 7, 2014 against Chicago Fire. The Sounders peppered the Galaxy with 10 shots on goal, tied for the third-most in franchise history. In the previous three occasions, Seattle scored at least three goals in each.
While Penedo stole the headlines with 10 saves – the most of any keeper in MLS this season – Seattle had some impressive individual performances. Lamar Neagle recorded five shots on goal, tied for the second-most in club history. It was a breakthrough performance for Neagle, who hadn’t registered an attempt in the previous four matches. Defender Tyrone Mearsled the team with 80 touches and 57 passes.
In all 22 matches between LA and Seattle, the team who scores first ended with a result.
Matchup Mashup
Next up, Sounders FC faces the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, April 18. The Rapids started out slowly – opening the season with a 0-1-3 record and 0 goals scored – before toppling FC Dallas 4-0 last Saturday. The win snapped an MLS-record-tying 18 game winless streak and a streak of 600 minutes without a goal.
Sounders FC is 11-2-2 in the regular season against Colorado, accumulating more wins over the Rapids than any other opponent. At Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the Sounders have posted a 4-2-1 record with an 18-7 scoring advantage.
Throwback
After playing even for the vast majority of the first half in a match between Colorado and Seattle on April 26, 2014 at CenturyLink Field, Seattle took the lead in first-half stoppage time on a goal by Neagle. To open the second half, Dempsey scored two goals in the first seven minutes. The scores (45+1’, 47’, 52’) resulted in the
shortest amount of time to score three goals in club history
.
Sounders FC won the match, 4-1, to remain unbeaten against Colorado at home (7-0-1).
Key(s) to the Game
Score. Pretty simple, right? The home team has been shutout in all five matches Colorado has played this season. So, as the visiting side, goals seem to be a major factor here. If not, it may end up as Colorado’s fourth scoreless draw of the season.
