SEATTLE – The LA Galaxy hope to continue their winning ways on Sunday when they take on the new-look Seattle Sounders FC.
Seattle endured a week of turmoil that saw them dispatch longtime head coach Sigi Schmid and sign a pair of new faces, as they seek to turn their season around. The Galaxy, meanwhile, will hope to keep plugging along and finish with five consecutive victories.
Ahead of today’s match, take a gander at a series of links, matchups, and a notable quote to get you ready for the game.
LINKS:
Ahead of Sunday's match, Bruce Arena chimed in with his thoughts on Seattle's dismissal of Sigi Schmid.
Just who is Seattle Sounders FC interim head coach Brian Schmetzer?
Seattle will have both of their new Uruguayan signings available for selection on Sunday.
The Galaxy are expecting to boast a complete lineup as well as Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole return to the fold.
In the latest edition of By the Numbers, we look at Jelle Van Damme’s stellar season so far.
Lastly, LAGalaxy.com’s Larry Morgan provides a preview of the match.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
Nico Lodeiro vs. LA Galaxy defense
All eyes will be on the new Seattle Sounders signing, who could very well start his first game on Saturday. Although Lodeiro is an unknown in MLS circles, the Uruguayan midfielder was a successful playmaker during his time with Argentine powerhouse Boca Juniors.
Robbie Keane vs. Zach Scott
The Seattle Sounders defense is reeling as of late, and that will have Robbie Keane licking his chops on Sunday. The Galaxy’s Irish forward has terrorized the Sounders throughout his career with seven goals against Seattle all-time in the regular season.
Giovani dos Santos vs. Joevin Jones
Fresh off his strong showing at the MLS All-Star Game, dos Santos will look to extend his stellar season to date against Seattle. An essential part of Seattle’s counterattack, Jones will need to keep a close watch on dos Santos who will be eager to catch the left back out of position early and often on Sunday.
WHAT THEY SAID:
“I think that’s the danger for us, to go in thinking we’ve done the job twice and we’re going to go up there and do it again. The reason we beat them the previous two times is because we defended very well and we were very aggressive all over the pitch. We played some magnificent stuff going forward. That’s what we’re looking for again. We can’t expect to just turn up because we’re in a confident mood after what’s gone before. That would be a big mistake on our behalf.”
- Steven Gerrard on playing a reeling Seattle Sounders team.
