CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy love the bright lights of Seattle’s CenturyLink Field.
Seattle Sounders FC’s venue might be one of the league’s best atmospheres, but the Galaxy have quieted the raucous Seattle crowd with impressive regularity in recent years. The Galaxy boast a 5-6-3 record in Seattle across all MLS competitions but have bounced the Sounders from the postseason in two of three tries.
This Sunday, the Galaxy make their final trip to the Pacific Northwest when they face off against a struggling Sounders side.
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In honor of the latest chapter in the Galaxy/Sounders rivalry, we take a look at the top five goals the Galaxy have scored in Seattle.
5) JOVAN KIROVSKI’S KNUCKLER CONFUSES KELLER (5/8/10)
Jovan Kirovski kicked off the legendary “refund game” with his early blast against Seattle back in 2010.
Kirovski began the scoring in the 22nd minute with a shot from distance that knuckled on veteran Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller before bouncing off his gloves and into the back of the net. The Galaxy went on to trounce Seattle, 4-0.
The defeat, which was the worst loss in Sounders history at the time, led Seattle to issue a refund to season ticket holders.
4) ISHIZAKI’S TIKI TACO FINISH (7/28/14)
The 2014 season was the year of the LA Galaxy’s brilliant “Tiki Taco” style and Stefan Ishizaki’s finish against the Sounders may have been one of the best.
The goal was vintage 2014 Galaxy after Marcelo Sarvas won the ball at midfield which sparked a quick counterattack led by Landon Donovan. Donovan then played the ball back to Sarvas near the top of the box, before the Brazilian found Ishizaki who lashed a right-footed effort into the bottom corner of Stefan Frei’s net.
The Swede's goal helped lead the Galaxy to a 3-0 win over Seattle.
3) KEANE’S BOUNCE OFF THE TURF (10/27/13)
Robbie Keane loves playing in Seattle, and it shows.
The finest of Keane’s four career goals in Seattle came in October 2013 during a 1-1 draw. Keane pulled off a moment of brilliance in the 78th minute when he smacked a Hector Jimenez pass off the turf, causing the ball to skirt past a helpless Michael Gspurning.
Keane will no doubt be looking to add to his total on Sunday when the Galaxy make their final trip of the year to Seattle.
2) EDSON BUDDLE’S MIRACLE SHOT (10/31/10)
Edson Buddle scored one of the greatest goals in Major League Soccer history when he found the back of the net in the Galaxy’s 2010 Western Conference semifinal matchup.
With the game still scoreless, Buddle unleashed a rocket from nearly 40 yards that sailed over the head of Kasey Keller into the back of the net. The goal stunned the Seattle crowd and helped propel the Galaxy to a 1-0 win.
The Galaxy advanced past Seattle before falling in the Western Conference championship to FC Dallas.
1) JUNINHO’S SAVES THE GALAXY (11/30/14)
Edson Buddle’s goal was beautiful, but no goal had the significance of Juninho’s goal in the 2014 Western Conference Championship.
In a heated Western Conference Championship second leg, Seattle headed into the second half with a 2-1 aggregate advantage. Juninho came to the LA Galaxy’s rescue in the 54th minute with a shot from beyond the penalty area that sailed past Stefan Frei into the back of the net.
After Juninho’s goal, the Galaxy held on for dear life as they eventually earned a 2-2 aggregate victory to advance to the MLS Cup final.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@gmail.com.
