CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s Steven Gerrard said the five-time MLS Cup champions won’t be overconfident as they prepare to take on the Seattle Sounders on Sunday at CenturyLink Field (1 p.m., ESPN). But they couldn’t be blamed for feeling a bit more upbeat than usual.
The Galaxy, after all, already have beaten the Sounders twice this month, including a 4-2 victory in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals on July 20 and a 1-0 win at Seattle on July 9.
The Galaxy are also on a six-game unbeaten run in MLS play (4-0-2) and the Sounders are suffering through a dreadful season which reached its zenith with the “mutually agreed” departure of long-time head coach Sigi Schmid on Tuesday after an eight-year run.
Take into consideration the fact the Galaxy (9-3-8) are steadily moving up the Western Conference standings – they’re third behind FC Dallas and Colorado – and Seattle (6-12-2) is ahead of only bottom-feeding Houston in the West, the Galaxy appear to be heavy favorites in this weekend’s matchup.
Not so fast, cautioned Gerrard, who did not play in last Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Portland because of an undisclosed minor leg injury – he called it a “niggle” -- but pronounced himself ready to go this weekend.
“I think that’s the danger for us,” he said, “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.”
The Sounders, who now will be coached by long-time assistant Brian Schmetzer, will be sporting a new look, thanks to this week’s additions of Uruguayans Nicolas Lodeiro (as a designated player) and Alvaro Fernandez.
Lodeiro, in particular, is a highly regarded midfielder who transferred from Argentinian power Boca Juniors. Fernandez, also a midfielder, played for the Sounders from 2010-2012 and most recently had been with another club in Argentina, Gimnasia.
Midfielder Nigel de Jong predicted the Sounders will give their best effort, despite the shakeup in the organization and on the roster.
“I expect for them to come out with 100 percent commitment, hungry to show everybody that it’s still a good team,” he said. “They brought in a couple of players, and it’s always difficult to play against a team that’s just fired the coach. They will be hungry for success, especially at home, and we beat them twice.
“It’s not going to be an easy game.”
The Galaxy are expected to welcome back left back Ashley Cole, who has been battling a hamstring injury and has not appeared in an MLS game since a 1-1 tie with San Jose on June 25.
Gerrard said the Galaxy’s confidence is at its highest level, thanks mainly to a defense that has four shutouts in the six-game unbeaten run.
“It has to be,” he said. “We’re defending well, scoring goals. The confidence should be really high. It feels that way.
“The atmosphere is great in and around the training place. Everyone’s really happy at the moment.”
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC vs. LA GALAXY
CENTURYLINK FIELD | Seattle, Washington
July 31, 2016 | Week 21 | MLS Game #210
4 pm ET (ESPN, MLS LIVE)
For the third time this month, Western Conference rivals Seattle Sounders FC and the LA Galaxy will collide with Seattle playing host at CenturyLink Field on Saturday in their first game after parting ways with manager Sigi Schmid. The reeling Sounders are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Galaxy in the US Open Cup and a 3-0 defeat to Sporting Kansas City last Sunday to fall to 6-12-2 on the season, leading to Schmid’s exit after nearly eight years at the helm. The Galaxy (9-3-8) enter the contest in third place in the West after a 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers extended their league winning streak to four.
- This will be the Sounders' first-ever MLS game with a coach other than Schmid, as longtime assistant Brian Schmetzer will take the reins and hope to guide Seattle back into playoff contention. The Sounders didn’t register a single shot on goal in their last game, a 3-0 defeat to SKC, and have scored just 20 goals in 20 matches.
- The Galaxy have already beaten the Sounders twice this month, earning a 1-0 win in Seattle on July 9 before knocking them out of the Open Cup on July 20. The Galaxy are 9-4-6 all-time against Seattle — one of the few teams the Sounders don’t have a winning record against since entering the league in 2009.
- Including the Open Cup, the Galaxy are currently riding an eight-game unbeaten run with their last loss coming to Toronto FC on June 18. They’re been especially proficient against Cascadia teams, holding a 3-0-2 record vs. the Sounders, Timbers and Whitecaps this season.