CARSON, Calif. (Monday, Nov. 24, 2014) – The LA Galaxy’s First To Five postseason quest to become the first team in MLS to win five MLS Cup trophies continues this Sunday, Nov. 30 when the team travels north for the second leg of the 2014 Western Conference Championship against Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field beginning at 6 p.m. PT live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
The Galaxy won the first leg of the Western Conference Championship, 1-0 Sunday afternoon in front of a sell-out crowd at StubHub Center behind a second-half goal from midfielder Marcelo Sarvas. With the one-goal lead going into the second leg, the Galaxy can advance to the MLS Cup Final on Dec. 7 with a win, draw or one-goal loss provided the Galaxy score in Seattle on Sunday.
The Galaxy will face the Sounders for the fifth time of 2014 after recording a 2-1-1 record in the previous four matches during the MLS Regular Season and MLS Cup Playoffs. Since Seattle entered MLS in 2009, the Galaxy have faced the Sounders in 15 regular season games, going 6-4-5. In five postseason meetings all time between the two clubs, LA have compiled a 4-1-0 record, scoring eight times and conceding three goals. The Galaxy advanced against the Sounders in both previous playoff series (2010, 2012).
The Galaxy have yet to concede a goal during the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs, as goalkeeper Jaime Penedo has recorded three-straight shutouts while making 10 total saves. Penedo has now recorded 16 shutouts in regular and postseason matches for the Galaxy since joining the club last season.
LA Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena is the winningest coach in MLS playoff history with a 29-9-5 record all-time in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Seattle Sounders Head Coach Sigi Schmid is the second-winningest coach in the MLS postseason, compiling a 23-15-8 record. Since 1996, the LA Galaxy have made 67 MLS Cup Playoff appearances with a 41-19-7 record while scoring 113 goals. In Western Conference finals, the club has gone 14-7-2.
The Galaxy finished the 2014 MLS Regular Season with a 17-7-10 record and 61 points, scoring 69 goals scored while allowing just 37. LA’s +32 goal differential was the best in MLS this season and the second-highest in League history, trailing only the 1998 Galaxy side that recorded a +41 goal differential. The team ended the regular season with just seven losses in their 34 matches, the fewest in MLS this season, having only lost only four matches in the team’s final 26 games.
Galaxy Training Schedule (All times Pacific)
| Date | Start Time | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
Tuesday, Nov. 25 | 10 a.m. | StubHub Center Field | |
Wednesday, Nov. 26 | TEAM OFF | ||
Thursday, Nov. 27 | 10 a.m. | StubHub Center – University Field #1 | |
Friday, Nov. 28 | 10 a.m. | StubHub Center – University Field #1 | |
Saturday, Nov. 29 | TRAINING IN SEATTLE | ||
Sunday, Nov. 30 | 6 p.m. | MLS Western Conference Championship Leg Two: LA Galaxy at Seattle Sounders FC, CenturyLink Field (ESPN, ESPN Deportes) | |
Monday, Dec. 1 | TBA | ||
Media availability will take place fieldside following training on select days. Media members wishing to attend training are asked to contact the Galaxy Communications Department prior to the session that you wish to attend. Please be advised that training sessions vary in length so be sure to arrive as close to the start of training as possible.
Interview Requests outside of these time periods can be made via email with the Galaxy Communications Department at mediarequests@lagalaxy.com or by contacting any member of the Department.
Tickets to a potential MLS Cup Final at StubHub Center on Sunday, Dec. 7 are on sale now. For tickets, call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299) or visit www.lagalaxy.com/tickets/playoffs.
