Major League Soccer- L.A. Galaxy beat Seattle 3-1
L.A. Galaxy beat Seattle 3-1 in Major league Soccer, in a match that was full of action packed moments. In front of a full house with 27,000 spectators, the home side completely dominated Seattle at the Home Depo Center stadium.
Galaxy’s star striker Edson Buddle, who had been missing in action due to international duties, was back and straight away in goal scoring form for his team. Brazilian Midfielder Juninho, also got his first goal in MLS from a long range shot in the 2nd half.
Seattle did try to make a comeback through a goal from Steve Zakuani but a 3rd goal from L.A. put the game to bed.
The home side started the game on the front foot and started piling up some pressure on Seattle with series of attacks. In addition, the initial period of pressure almost paid off when Chris Birchall’s shot went just wide of the near post. Within minutes Birchall was at it again and took a shot from 45 yards out and Seattle Keeper Keller had to make a full length dive save to keep the scores level.
Seattle looked short of answers at the time, and were sitting back trying to soak the pressure. While Galaxy continued to move forward and almost every attack resulted in a corner.
Continuous corners are always a threat against Galaxy, who have some good headers of the ball in their side. Hence, it proved after 20 minutes, Sounders conceded another corner and this time USA’s world cup hero Landon Donnovan curled in a corner and Edson Buddle found space in the box and moved away from his markers to head home the match opener.
The goal put Seattle under further pressure and Galaxy continued their domination. After the half hour mark, the visitors finally realised they were in a game, and started making few good moves, which actually led to shots on target. Still most of them were from a distance and did not pose too much of a threat to Galaxy. The half ended with Galaxy a goal to the good.
Former Lyon player Juninho, started the 2nd half in spectacular fashion, he is famous for scoring goals from a distance and ability to score from free kicks from almost any distance. He tried his luck from 35 yards out and the ball rifled into the top of the net, with the Seattle keeper Keller trying his best but the shot was too good for him. The Brazilian celebrated his 1st goal in the league with a samba dance and Galaxy had almost secured the match with a 2 goal advantage.
Galaxy after the goal looked to be taking it easy and there was not the same intensity from them for the next 10 minutes or so. Seattle made use of that and played some good football, in the 66th minute Seattle striker Fredy Montero, led an attack alongside Setev Zakuani, and made his way into the Galaxy box taking on 2 defenders and went past them, finished off the splendid move with a low drive to the far post that made it 2-1.
The goal inspired Seattle and they looked determined to get level, Galaxy though looked to be in their shells and the aggressive play from the first half was not to be seen. The home side were determined to defend their one goal advantage while Seattle continued to attack.
Seattle in search of the equaliser committed too many men forward, and Galaxy found space for a counter attack but it was Seattle defender James Riley, who scored an own goal making it 3-1; the match was pretty much over by then. The 3rd goal deflated the Seattle spirits and L.A. Galaxy held on for a well deserved win.
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