L.A. Galaxy Display True Grit Against Seattle Sounders
By Brian Tabije
The Los Angeles Galaxy (2-2-2) came away with three important points Sunday afternoon with a win at Stubhub Center against the Seattle Sounders (2-2-1).
A win that showed intensity, grit and pure determination for a victory. A win that had a top class performance given by Jaime Penedo and his 10 saves. It was also a win that without one of their top performers in Robbie Keane.
The captain and reigning MLS MVP Keane was out with a groin injury while superstar Clint Dempsey was out for the Sounders with a hamstring issue.
Instead of head coach Bruce Arena’s 4-4-2 formation, he went with a lone striker and changed it to a 4-2-3-1 — with Alan Gordon getting the start up top for Keane and moving Gyasi Zardes to an outside mid-fielder position.
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That opened up the opportunity for Gordon, the 33 year-old Southern California native who was drafted by the Galaxy in 2004. Gordon is a veteran of the MLS and has proved his worth for Arena and the Galaxy.
In his 200th MLS career appearance, Gordon took advantage of being in the starting 11 and provided the lone goal and game-winner in the 23rd minute.
And that’s where the match finished courtesy of the man between the posts for L.A.
Jaime Penedo was on top of his game and provided the Galaxy the slim victory that was much needed. It was a brilliant effort that has many Seattle fans frustrated and Sounders mid-fielder Lamar Neagle bamboozled as he was personally stopped by Penedo on four of the 10 shots.
Seattle’s Obafemi Martins (tied with Dempsey with three goals) was shut down defensively by the Galaxy, as he only had two shots on goal and showed some of his frustration being offside four times.
Apr 12, 2015; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo (18) makes a save of a shot by Seattle Sounders midfielder Marco Pappa (10) during the game at StubHub Center. The Galaxy defeated the Sounders 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Penedo’s clean sheet on Sunday proved that he is still very capable of providing a strong performance against a quality team like the Sounders.
Since then, he has found himself with honors as the MLS player of the week.
His first test will be put to test Saturday against Sporting KC (2-1-3) at Stubhub Center. Sporting KC is coming off of a scoreless draw against Real Salt Lake this past weekend.
That doesn’t mean KC didn’t have the opportunities — they out-shot visiting Salt Lake 12-4. For Sporting KC, it was more than just a frustrating draw, as Ike Opara, the big 6’2 anchor in their defense, was injured in the 81st minute.
Bottom Line: The Galaxy won’t be going away quietly
It wasn’t until after the match that it was determined that the 26 year-old had ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon. It is unfortunate that after coming off a 2014 season where he had season ending ankle surgery that he once again has to watch the remainder of the season from the sidelines.
L.A. at home is a different team, some what of an invisibility force field stands between them and their opponents. Earning a 24-home game unbeaten streak and outscoring opponents overall by 44. Their overall record against Sporting KC is 23-19-11, as this will be the first of two matches against Kansas City this season.