CARSON, Calif. – Tommy Meyer came through in the clutch during the LA Galaxy’s run to the 2012 MLS Cup and as they look to add a fifth title to the mantel, the defender may be coming up big yet again.
Filling in for the injured Leonardo, Meyer put forth a strong performance on Sunday in the Galaxy’s 1-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC in their Western Conference Championship first leg. Alongside Omar Gonzalez, Meyer was immense in shutting down the Sounders scoring tandem of Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins, frequently limiting their chances to place chances on frame for goalkeeper Jaime Penedo.
“It was good. It was my first 90 minutes in awhile and I got through” Meyer said. "You just have to be aware of where they are when they have the ball and be in position."
For all his brevity, the stats showcased the magnitude of his showing as he made three recoveries and interceptions apiece as well as six clearances on the night. The finest moment for the defender came in the 78th minute when he scooped up a Martins pass to Dempsey and shut down a Seattle breakaway.
Meyer’s stellar showing defensively earned him universal praise from the Galaxy locker room, including midfielder Landon Donovan.
“Tommy was great,” Donovan said. “Tommy hasn’t played in a long time. He came in two weeks ago against Salt Lake and was excellent. He was very good again tonight. There were a couple of plays that were a little dicey, but you expect that from a guy that hasn’t played in a long time. I thought he was terrific. I thought that him and Omar [Gonzalez] did a great job shutting down those two. Those two are very, very difficult to play against. They did a great job. And we will need the same next week from them.”
