2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 14
LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders
Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson
September 27 – 7:30 PM PT
LOCAL TV: Spectrum SportsNet
The LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders look to rebound from midweek defeats when they renew acquaintances at Dignity Health Sports Park Sunday.
After four consecutive victories, the Galaxy (4W-5L-3D) are winless in their last three, including consecutive 2-0 defeats after losing at Real Salt Lake Wednesday. The Sounders (6W-3L-3D) are coming off a 1-0 loss to Portland after outscoring the opposition 10-1 in back-to-back lopsided wins.
There have been no fewer than three goals scored in each of the last four meetings, including a seven-goal thriller won by the Sounders 4-3 last September. Cristian Roldan scored a brace, including the 89th-minute winner.
LA Galaxy
Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez made his first start in more than two months after being sidelined with a calf injury suffered at the MLS is Back Tournament, but he didn't manage a single shot in an 80-minute shift as the Galaxy lost to RSL 2-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium Wednesday. It's been a frustrating start to the MLS career of Mexico's all-time leading scorer, but fellow El Tri standout and Galaxy teammate Jonathan dos Santos isn't too concerned about Chicharito's scoring ability.
"He hasn’t played a lot of games with us," dos Santos said. "But we know that Chicharito will be a very important player. I know him and I know that he will score goals, 100 percent. But we need to have patience with him. He’s just recovering from his injury, he was out for 2-3 months. But he’s good, he’s happy to be here, he’s in shape. We just have to have patience with him because I know that he’s going to score goals and he’s going to be the most important player for us."
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- QUESTIONABLE: Danilo Acosta (M) - ACL injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Julian Araujo (M)
- International duty: None
Seattle Sounders
Brian Schmetzer said his "absolutely deserved a better result" than a 1-0 loss to the Timbers and felt they were unlucky not to score at least once in the first half. It's a painful defeat to a rival, but the Sounders coach isn't interested in the narrative of how far back his team is in the Supporters' Shield race now.
“Let’s pump the brakes a little there" Schmetzer said in his post-match press conference. "I just wanted to create some separation in a tight Western Conference. Now Portland is even on points [with Seattle for top spot]. Yeah, we’ve got a game in hand but … we lost a massive, massive opportunity to put some room between us and the other guys in our conference. Once we solve that one then I’ll start talking about Columbus.”
They'll look to rebound against the Galaxy without top striker Raul Ruidiaz, who has been suspended for one match and issued an undisclosed fine for violent conduct against Portland Timbers defender Pablo Bonilla early in the second half.
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Danny Leyva (M) - left foot fracture
- OUT: Joevin Jones (M) - right high ankle sprain
- Suspended: Raul Ruidiaz (F)
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Galaxy
- Galaxy: 6 wins, 22 goals
- Sounders: 3 wins, 16 goals
- 5 draws
Officials
- Referee: Jair Marrufo
- Assistant Referees: Frank Anderson, Andrew Bigelow
- 4th Official: Joseph Dickerson
- VAR: Guido Gonzales Jr
