The LA Galaxy defeated the Seattle Sounders 1-0 on Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., behind a fourth-minute goal from Gabriel Pec.
The Galaxy nearly opened the scoring two minutes in when Gastón Brugman slipped in Joseph Paintsil, but his shot rattled off the near post.
LA found the opener just two minutes later when Riqui Puig chipped in Paintsil, who dropped a first-time pass to Pec, who beat Stefan Frei at the near post for his first MLS goal.
The Sounders had a chance to equalize in the seventh minute when Jordan Morris drove down the left flank and picked out Raúl Ruidíaz, whose re-directed effort just missed outside of the near post.
Josh Atencio intercepted a pass at midfield in the 28th minute and attacked the Galaxy defense, but his eventual shot was blocked and went out for a corner.
Pec almost doubled LA’s lead in the 39th minute when Puig set up the Brazilian youth international at the top of the box, but his left-footed shot flew past the far post.
The Sounders’ had a great chance in the 65th minute when Danny Musovski, who scored on a header last weekend to open his Seattle account, headed a cross that forced goalkeeper John McCarthy into a reaction save.
Seattle almost equalized in the 70th minute when Nouhou crossed a ball to the top of the box that Albert Rusnák fired just wide.
Puig had a chance to double LA’s advantage in the 82nd minute after a clever interchange from 20 yards out, but Nouhou closed him down to block his shot.
The Sounders’ best opportunity came in the 90th minute when Dylan Teves played a ball to the penalty spot for Morris, but his one-timed shot skipped past the far post.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Return to 4-2-3-1
After starting the season employing a 4-4-2, Head Coach Brian Schmetzer reverted to his preferred 4-2-3-1 with Rusnák available to start as the No. 10, Ruidíaz as the lone No. 9 and Morris back on the left wing.
Alex Roldan at right mid, Cristian to central midfield
Another big personnel change was Schmetzer pushing Alex Roldan up a line from his normal right fullback position into right mid. He replaced his brother, Cristian, who slid into the double-pivot in central midfield alongside Atencio.
Back home vs. Montréal
The Sounders return home to Lumen Field next Saturday for a clash against Eastern Conference side CF Montréal (7:30 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass on Apple TV | TICKETS).
