SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC v. LOS ANGELES GALAXY - LEAGUES CUP 2ND ROUND - ROYAL BROUGHAM PARK, OCCIDENTAL AVENUE, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Green. Thirsty for more Leagues Cup? MLS and Liga MX have got ye covered. LA Galaxy make the trip up from Carson to The Evergreen for a clash of the football titans at Royal Brougham Park.

What: Leagues Cup 2nd Round, Seattle Sounders FC v. Los Angeles Galaxy.

Where: Royal Brougham Park, Occidental Avenue, Seattle, Washington.

When: 7:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Thursday 8 August 2024 CE.

At Stake: As far as Leagues Cup goes, it’s the knock-out round, so either Sounders find a way to win or that’s it, and we rest up for the US Open Cup Semi-Final, the last nine league fixtures, and - most likely MLS Cup. Outside of the Leagues Cup and the knock-out round high-stakes, this is a benchmark game. Galaxy are second best in the league. Sounders have yet to beat a top 10 MLS team this season (0-4-5). Can it be done? It’s important we find out because the US Open Cup Semi-Final is against LAFC (4th place MLS), and the later rounds of the MLS Cup will likely be top 10 opposition.

Where to Watch: MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

Where to Listen: KJR 950 AM and El Rey 1360 AM.

Support is vital in elimination matches like this one. Time to rally ‘round the telly in houses and flats. Descend on the pub, and make the proprietors wonder if it was a sensible decision to let you drink there. Time to focus our psychic will behind our Boys in Green.

Can the lads manage it? Let’s find out.

It’s cup football in The Evergreen. GO ON YOU SOUNDERS!!! GET IN!!!

Before kick-off, please join me in the auld toast: “TO THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS FOOTBALL CLUB…AND VICTORY!!!”

He admits to making a tactical error against Necaxa, yet it was also somehow the players’ fault. Right.

The Good News

Looks like despite injuries to De la Vega and Ruidiaz, we can still muster up a team that should be able to challenge Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Necaxa result was a bit cruel in many ways. The ref lost control of the match quite early, missed a clear penalty when Morris’ arm was grabbed in the Penalty Area, and disallowed a perfectly good De la Vega strike for a toenail offsides. In addition, Sounders were statistically superior to Necaxa in possession, passing accuracy, and corner kicks. Necaxa were called for 21 fouls and two bookings, whilst we only fouled seven times. Sometimes you boss the match and get nothing for it.

Atencio’s return to the team is welcome, as we need the skill and depth he provides. Hopefully, Hawkins has also returned from national team duty, as he could definitely play a role, should he be allowed to, in shoring up the side.

The Bad News

The Gaffer admitted he made a tactical error that resulted in a goal and then added he felt the players were also responsible. I don’t think the lads are responsible when the Gaffer insists on pressing for goals in matches that are tied or where we have a narrow lead. It’s tactically stupid, and has nothing to do with the ability and quality of our players. Sorry, it needed to be said.

We again suffered from spotty support play. Too often, passing lanes were jammed up with potential pass receivers in cover, with the player holding the football desperately looking for options. We are moving the ball too slowly and too predictably in our attack. We do not make enough passes that break the opposition’s lines. This cannot happen at this level with such regularity. Tactics must be adjusted, as I’m fairly certain the players aren’t at fault in this.

Losing De la Vega again is a blow, and with Raul also out we are short a fair amount of talent.

We have yet to defeat a top 10 MLS side this season (0-4-5). We must be more competitive against the league’s elite teams if we’re to hope for any titles this season. Los Angeles Galaxy are currently in second place in the MLS league table, four points adrift of leaders Inter Miami.

LA Galaxy have spent over €19M to shore up their team’s attack. Pec has 10 goals, 10 assists, and an estimated transfer value of €8M. Paintsil has 8 goals, 9 assists, and an estimated transfer value of €9.5M. Riqui Puig has 8 goals, 11 assists, and an estimated transfer value of €15M.

For comparison, Sounders FC have spent €6.4M on new players. Our player with the highest estimated transfer value is Pedro De la Vega at €6.4M. More than enough to handle the bottom ⅔ of the MLS league table, but perhaps that is our ceiling right now.

It’s not that Sounders FC lack talent, as we have plenty. It’s that Galaxy have scored 54 goals in 28 matches. Sounders have 43 in 30. Both teams have an elite defence. Sounders have a goal difference of +7 in all competitions. Galaxy have a goal difference of +15 in all competitions. The sobering, objective reality is that we’re going to have to try to beat a team that is demonstrably better. It can be done, and we have done before, but are we up to it?

The Side I Would Select

This is a benchmark match for reasons outside hunting a Leagues Cup title. It’s time to see if we have what it takes to beat a top 10 MLS team.

Rationale: There were three days between matches this time. That should be enough recovery, if training was light, to play another full match. I truly believe we get better results with Cristian playing as a #6. This also, theoretically, frees Vargas to score or create, both of which he’s quite good at. It will take the best of who we have, playing at the best of their abilities to have any chance at defeating Galaxy.

GK     Frei

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Alex

LDM    Joao Paulo

RDM   Cristian

LF     Leo Chu

CAM   Rusnak

RF     Vargas

CF     Morris

The Side I Think The Gaffer Will Select

If we really want to compete for this trophy, such as it is, this is the time to get after it. They don’t call it the knock-out stage for nothin’.

GK     Frei

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB      Alex

LDM    Joao Paulo

RDM   Vargas

LF     Leo Chu

CAM   Rusnak

RF     Cristian

CF     Morris

Intangibles

The Referee for Thursday night’s match will be Lukasz Szpala.

Sounders FC record with Szpala as Ref: 2-2-0

LA Galaxy record with Szpala as Ref: 3-2-0

We’ve been unable to beat a top 10 MLS side yet this season. Can we do it?

General notes on personnel

LA Galaxy transfers IN:

Berry (Atlanta United) ATL gets LAG’s 33rd pick in 2024 draft

Nelson (St. Louis City) free

McCarthy (Los Angeles FC) free

Yamane (Kawasaki Frontale) free

Pec (Vasco da Gama) €9.3M

Paintsil (KRC Genk) €8.5M

Bibout - reserves

Lepley - draft

Scott (Columbus Crew) free

Garces (Deportivo Pereira) loan

Parente - reserves

LA Galaxy transfers OUT:

Alfaro (El Paso Locomotive) free

Calegari (Fluminense) end of loan

Klinsmann (Cesena) free

Leerdam (Heracles Almelo) free

Rosell - released

Sharp - (Hull City) free

Barrios (America de Cali) free

Costa (Fluminense) free

Chicharito (CD Guadalajara) free

Saldana (KFUM-Kameratene Oslo) free

Edwards (CF Montreal) €371,000

Judd (San Jose Earthquakes) €182,000

Boyd (Nashville) €701,000

Mavinga - released

Bond - released from contract

Ferkranus (Brisbane Roar) undisclosed fee

Aguirre (Guadalajara) undisclosed fee

Vivi (Saprissa) loan

Perez (Nashville SC) loan

Comparison against common opponents

SJ 3:2 SEA

SJ 1:3 LAG

LAG 4:3 SJ

SJ 0:3 LAG

SJ 1:2 LAG LC

(against SJ: SEA 0-0-1 -1, LAG 4-0-0 +7) edge LAG

STL 1:2 SEA
SEA 2:0 STL

LAG 3:3 STL

(against STL: SEA 2-0-0 +3, LAG 0-1-0 0) edge SEA

SKC 2:1 SEA

SKC 2:3 LAG

LAG 4:2 SKC

(against SKC: SEA 0-0-1 -1, LAG 2-0-0 +3) edge LAG

LAFC 2:1 SEA

SEA 0:3 LAFC

LAFC 2:1 LAG

LAG 1:2 LAFC

(against LAFC: SEA 0-0-2 -4, LAG 0-0-2 -2) edge LAG

SEA 0:2 VAN

SEA 1:1 VAN

VAN 1:3 LAG

(against VAN: SEA 0-1-1 -2, LAG 1-0-0 +2) edge LAG

SEA 0:0 ATX

ATX 0:1 SEA

ATX 2:0 LAG

(against ATX: SEA 1-1-0 +1, LAG 0-0-1 -2) edge SEA

RSL 2:0 SEA

SEA 1:1 RSL

LAG 2:2 RSL

RSL 0:1 LAG

(against RSL: SEA 0-1-1 -2, LAG 1-1-0 +1) edge LAG

SEA 2:0 MIN

SEA 2:0 MIN LC

MIN 2:2 LAG

LAG 2:1 MIN

(against MIN: SEA 2-0-0 +4, LAG 1-1-0 +1) edge SEA

HOU 2:2 SEA

LAG 2:1 HOU

(against HOU: SEA 0-1-0 0, LAG 1-0-0 +1) edge LAG

DAL 0:0 SEA

SEA 3:2 DAL

LAG 3:1 DAL

DAL 2:0 LAG

(against DAL: SEA 1-1-0 +1, LAG 1-0-1 0) edge SEA

SEA 2:1 CHI

CHI 2:1 LAG

(against CHI: SEA 1-0-0 +1, LAG 0-0-1 -1) edge SEA

SEA 1:1 COL

LAG 3:2 COL

(against COL: SEA 0-1-0 0, LAG 1-0-0 +1) edge LAG

POR 1:2 SEA

LAG 3:2 POR

(against POR: SEA 1-0-0 +1, LAG 1-0-0 +1) even

Know Thine Enemy

Galaxy as they lined up in their 2:2 draw against Guadalajara at Avalon Boulevard on 4 August.

GOALKEEPER

Novak Micovic, 22

Serbia

Notable Clubs: Cukaricki (22/0), IMT (11/0), Los Angeles Galaxy (4/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €600,000

Notes: Developed by Cukaricki.

DEFENCE

John Nelson, 26

United States

Notable Clubs: FC Dallas (30/0), FC Cincinnati (24/0), St. Louis City SC (17/0), Los Angeles Galaxy (15/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €700,000

Notes: Developed by Internationals SC. Played his university football for North Carolina (41/1).

Martin Caceres, 37

Uruguay (116/4)

Notable Clubs: Defensor (26/4), Recreativo Huelva (34/2), FC Barcelona (13/0), Juventus (86/4), Sevilla (39/2), Southampton (1/0), Hellas Verona (14/3), Lazio (10/1), Fiorentina (56/3), Cagliari (14/1), Levante (10/0), Los Angeles Galaxy (36/2)

Estimated Transfer Value: €200,000

Notes: Developed by Defensor. Won a Spanish league title, Copa del Rey, and Champions League with FC Barcelona. Won six Italian league titles, two Coppa Italia, and three Supercoppa Italia with Juventus. Won Copa America with Uruguay.

Eriq Zavaleta, 32

El Salvador (27/3)

Notable Clubs: Seattle Sounders FC (5/0), Chivas USA (17/0), Toronto FC (118/2), Los Angeles Galaxy (20/3)

Estimated Transfer Value: €150,000

Notes: Developed by IMG Academy, FC Pride, Real Salt Lake, Chivas USA, and Columbus Crew SC. Played his university football for Indiana (46/28). Won an MLS Cup and MLS League double, and three Canadian Championships with Toronto FC.

Emiro Garces, 22

Colombia 

Notable Clubs: Deportiva Pereira (53/1), Los Angeles Galaxy (0/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €700,000

Notes: Full name: Carlos Emiro Garces Torres. Won a Colombian league title with Deportivo Pereira.

Mauricio Cuevas, 21

United States

Notable Clubs: Los Angeles Galaxy (22/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €250,000

Notes: Developed by Los Angeles Galaxy. Played for United States at youth levels (25/2). Won CONCACAF U-20 Championship with United States.

MIDFIELD

Edwin Cerrillo, 23

United States

Notable Clubs: FC Dallas (87/0), Los Angeles Galaxy (37/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €2M

Notes: Developed by FC Dallas. Cerrillo has played at youth levels for United States (2/0).

Gaston Brugman, 31

Uruguay

Notable Clubs: Empoli (20/2), Pescara (153/18), Palermo (14/0), Parma (50/1), Oviedo (33/3), Los Angeles Galaxy (50/5)

Estimated Transfer Value: €2M

Notes: Developed by Estudiantes de Rosario, Penarol, and Empoli.

FORWARD

Riqui Puig, 24

Catalonia (2/0)

Notable Clubs: FC Barcelona (42/2), Los Angeles Galaxy (61/18)

Estimated Transfer Value: €15M

Notes: Developed by Jabac Terrassa and FC Barcelona. Youth honours for FC Barcelona. Won a Spanish league title and Copa del Rey with FC Barcelona.

Joseph Paintsil, 26

Ghana (15/0)

Notable Clubs: Tema Youth (22/10), Ferencvaros (25/10), Genk (130/30), Ankaragucu (33/11), Los Angeles Galaxy (22/8)

Estimated Transfer Value: €9.5M

Notes: Developed by RB Ghana and Tema Youth. Won a Belgian league title and Belgian Super Cup with Genk.

Gabriel Pec, 23

Brazil

Notable Clubs: Vasco da Gama (168/25), Los Angeles Galaxy (25/10)

Estimated Transfer Value: €8M

Notes: Full Name: Gabriel Fortes Chaves. Developed by Vasco da Gama.

Familiar Faces

Galaxy forward Miguel Berry played for the Sounders U23s (9/2) in 2017.

Galaxy defender Eriq Zavaleta played for the Sounders FC (5/0) from 2013-2014.

Squads

Sounders FC from:

Frei, Thomas, Castro, Baker, Bell, Gomez Andrade, Nathan, Nouhou, Ragen, Sousa, Alex, Atencio, Baker-Whiting, Brunell, Joao Paulo, Kitahara, Leyva, Rusnak, Vargas, Morris, Cristian, Leo Chu, Musovski, Rothrock, Teves.

Note: If Stu Hawkins is back from USA U-20s duty, I haven’t heard fuck-all about it.

LA Galaxy from:

Micovic, McCarthy, Scott, Yamane, Yoshida, Cuevas, Zavaleta, Nelson, Neal, Caceres, Garces, Puig, Fagundez, Delgado, Brugman, Cerrillo, Perez, Aguirre, Lepley, Parente, Pec, Paintsil, Berry, Ramos, Bibout.

Injury List

(best guess)

Sounders FC -

OUT: Ruidiaz (knee), De la Vega (groin), Rodrigues (hamstring).

MATCHDAY DECISION: none.

LA Galaxy -

OUT: Aude (groin), Joveljic (thigh).

MATCHDAY DECISION: Garces (ankle).

Discipline

Sounders FC: No players suspended. Nouhou out next match if booked.

LA Galaxy: No players suspended. Nelson, Yoshida, Yamane, and Caceres out next match if booked.

Fun Fact

Young Stu Hawkins played four matches in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship tournament for United States, including the Final. The Yanks made it all the way to the Final, only to fall 1:2 to Mexico in extra-time at Leon. Well done on your selection, Stu. Well-deserved honour, and you’ve made us proud.