Sounders FC went down to LA with the goal of putting itself in position to get the job done in the home Second Leg of the Western Conference Championship against the Galaxy. The ending result of Sunday’s First Leg was not an ideal one for the short-handed Sounders, but they still will have everything to play for next weekend.
Despite creating plenty of quality scoring chances, Seattle was held to a 1-0 defeat at LA on Sunday. Sounders FC will need to find the back of the net at CenturyLink Field next weekend in order to extend its season.
“Obviously we would have preferred a tie or a win, but only losing 1-0, we don’t feel horrible about that,” Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid said. “We’re disappointed for sure, but we don’t feel horrible.
“We know what we’re capable of at home. Our fans are going to be behind us. It’s going to be packed, and I think that will help spur us on.”
Western Conference Championship - Leg Two
Osvaldo Alonso and Lamar Neagle will both likely be available for the Second Leg after missing Sunday’s match. Neagle flew back to Seattle on Saturday to deal with a personal matter, while Alonso made the trip but did not suit up due to a hamstring injury.
Centerback Zach Scott did not use their absences as an excuse for the result.
“Both those guys are integral parts of our team, but we’ve never been about one person,” he said. “This entire year guys have cycled in and out when there’s been injuries or National Team call-ups. We’re excited to have Ozzie and Lamar back, but that being said, we expect to put out a good performance regardless of who’s out there.”
In addition to likely having Alonso and Neagle back Sunday night, Sounders FC will benefit from playing in front of its home fans.
When they faced LA in the 2012 Conference Championship, the Sounders took a 3-0 deficit into the Second Leg. Then in front of 44,575 at CenturyLink Field, they nearly overcame that deficit, scoring the first two goals of the Second Leg before Robbie Keane added a late penalty kick for LA in a 2-1 result.
Sounders FC is in a much better situation this time around with just a one-goal margin. Plus, this year’s team is the highest-scoring group in club history, led by All-Star forwards Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins.
The backline has done its job lately, giving up just one goal in the run of play in the last four games. This weekend it will be up to Dempsey, Martins and company to guide Seattle to its first MLS Cup Final.
“We need to get goals, but at the same just keep playing the way we’re playing,” Dempsey said. “We’re creating chances. We’ve just got to find the back of the net.
“We’ve still got everything to play for.”
