SEATTLE – There was no cheering or champagne in the LA Galaxy locker room after the team clinched a berth in the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs with their 1-1 draw against Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday.
The mood was actually somber, as the Galaxy were left disappointed after a late Sounders goal robbed them of a win in the Emerald City.
Robbie Keane’s first-half goal seemed to be all the Galaxy needed to secure three points at CenturyLink Field thanks to a strong defensive performance. The lead did not last, however, as a defensive error led to a set piece for Seattle in stoppage time that resulted in a goal by Chad Barrett that helped the Sounders salvage a draw.
“I am disappointed we didn’t win the game. It is as simple as that. Hard work that everyone put in to get a clean sheet. The effort we poured in to win that game,” Keane told reporters after the draw. “First of all we have to stop giving away corners. Last minute of the game. When you put everybody in the box. It is always going to be dangerous. … Definitely two points dropped.”
But did the playoff qualification provide any solace for the Galaxy? No chance says Galaxy head coach Arena.
“Oh, well, I think we’re going to have a parade in downtown Los Angeles tomorrow. We’re a team that expects to be in the playoffs, to be honest with you,” Arena said. “Obviously it’s an achievement for the team in such a competitive league this year and conference. That’s good, but we certainly want to accomplish a little bit more than making the playoffs.”
Meanwhile, Keane had little to say on the matter, instead choosing to urge his teammates to learn from the late game mistake and move on with the postseason looming.
“Just learn from your mistakes. Move on. Swiftly. You have to learn quickly because these are the games now that we need to be winning,” Keane said. “When you are putting the effort in like we did. You want to be coming out of here with three points. We deserve the three points with the way we defended as a team. But it wasn’t to be.”
The Galaxy have little time to right those types of mistakes, however, with just two games remaining on the regular season schedule. Los Angeles will complete the season with matches against Portland Timbers at StubHub Center before ending the season at Sporting Park against Sporting Kansas City.
With the Supporters' Shield and a top-two spot in the Western Conference still in play, the final two matches have become must-wins for the Galaxy.
“We are in the playoffs now. Now it is a matter of what spot we are in. The table is really tight, and so we have to keep on moving forward,” said defender Omar Gonzalez. “You know a couple teams have a couple games in hand so you know we have to make sure our next two games we get six points.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
