Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Green. Didn’t we just leave this town? No matter. In the words of the immortal Hip-Hop artists De La Soul “Stakes is high”. Galaxy have been a perpetual thorn in our side over the years. Would be nice to give an old smash in the face to thems that are so often our obstacle to shiny trophies and such. Don’t judge me! I’ve just had a massive carby meal.
What: MLS Cup Semi-Final, Los Angeles Galaxy v. Seattle Sounders FC.
Where: Avalon Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.
When: 7:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Saturday 30 November 2024 CE.
At Stake: I mean…this is the only trophy left to try and win this season. A seventh place finish in the league is good, considering where we are. Still, it’s no substitute for silverware in the trophy cabinet.
Where to Watch: MLS Season Pass via Apple TV. Twellman again. Why is Apple punishing us? Is it a Microsoft thing?
Where to Listen: iHeartMedia Audio Stream (???, what the fucking fuck? what’s happened to KJR?), Sounders FC Mobile App, and the old reliable El Rey 1360 AM. Perhaps this is our sign that we should be addressing our fluency in Central American Spanish.
I want to write an inspiring thing. That’s difficult though as I feel dead inside, but it’s not about me. It’s about our Boys in Green, and ours who follow. So the pressing of each key to write feels like a hammer-blow in slow-motion. I’m 100% taking the piss as I’m writing, on some stellar cider with serious punch. I’m listening to a playlist focused between 1979-1984, like a frightened child clinging to a plush toy in the midst of a nightmare. I only show you my vulnerability because I trust you all so much.
Despite all this…let me be clear. I love our Boys in Green. That never changes. They play to the best of their gifts, do their best to look after us and each other, and generally work their arses off to be better footballers. I am appreciative of their efforts after every match. I remember training two-a-days for Suffolk County CC when I played football, badly, back in the days. It’s fucking hard work. Shit tonnes of running, mountain-climbers, running with your teammates literally on your back. No one sees you toiling on the training pitch. They just see the matches, the end result. So many of us chipping away at the work, but only so many of us would be in the team or used as substitutes. I know that struggle, from personal experience.
It was a massive achievement for us to defeat LAFC at Figueroa Street last Sat. I loved that we shoved their previous dominance right in their glaikit faces. Maybe this unexpected victory means that all things are now possible in this cup run. If all of you believe, and I believe, why can’t Sounders dreams once again come true?
How are you lot doing? Like all of you, I’m ready for another proper Sounders victory. Two in two weeks? Why not? Lads are on form. Our way is to scratch and claw for every victory, every result. That’s Sounders football, straight away. Youngers through veterans the effort is there. The hunger. The focus. I see you, squad!
If you can make it down to the Southland, yet a second time, and you have the means and the inclination, I highly recommend it. I wish I could go and be with you lot for this crucial fixture. Look after each other. Tie your scarves proper. Be kind. Be loud. Be present. Be bright.
For those of us who remain in The Evergreen the task is as it always has been and always will be. Support as hard as we can from such a great distance. I’ll say it the way I’ve always said. For us here, it’s pubs and dwellings for stories and tellings. Houses and flats for pints and cats. Boats and ships for pie and chips. This is how we football. This is how we support the lads. ECS and all of its sub-groups will be together in this. It’s a massive energy. We will wield it like a sword, and the fates willin’ cut Galaxy apart.
Why not us? WHY NOT US!!!
Strap in you lot. Are you ready for the woolyness? It’s Galaxy v. Sounders under the Saturday night lights. GO ON!!! GO ON YOU SOUNDERS!!! GET IN!!! SOUNDERS FOR THE CUP!!!
Before kick-off, please join me in the auld toast: “TO THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS FOOTBALL CLUB…AND VICTORY!!!”
Our Academy lads were good enough to beat Valencia’s in 2019 for the Generation Cup.
This is the way.
The Good News
Sounders will be riding high, after jouncing LAFC out of a cup tournament for a change. This feeling, minus complacency, could give us the edge we need to progress to the cup final.
Although Galaxy score tonnes of goals (2.23/match in all competitions), the Sounders are equally stingy in defence (1.07 goals conceded/match). Sounders finished with the best defence in the league. We will attempt to ride this to victory.
Jordan Morris looked like a man possessed when he hit the 109’ extra-time winner last Sat. That’s the Jordo we need to win matches in this tournament. WELL DONE, JORDO!!! I BELIEVE IN YOU LADDIE!!!
There is precedent for a Sounders victory. In the Leagues Cup, on 8th August at Royal Brougham Park we defeated them by a resounding score of 3:1, with goals coming from Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Jackson Ragen, and Alex Roldan. We must find a way to victory again, together.
The Bad News
Galaxy score over two goals a match in all competitions (2.23). If they hit two on Sat, it will be difficult to overcome that sort of deficit, at best.
Galaxy don’t really lose at home. Ever. Their home record in all competitions is 15-4-1. They’ve only lost one match in 20 at home.
Galaxy have feasted on both Colorado and the Loons in the MLS Cup, outscoring them by an aggregate of 15:3 over three matches.
Galaxy have Riqui Puig (estimated transfer fee of €15M), Gabriel Pec (estimated transfer fee of €8M), Joseph Paintsil (estimated transfer fee of €9.5M), and ageing German midfield maestro Marco Reus (estimated transfer fee of €5M even at the venerable age of 35). Do we have answers for this kind of star power? We did against LAFC. Can we manage it again?
It has to be pointed out that our victory might not have been possible against LAFC, had defender Maxime Chanot not scored an own goal in the 59th minute to equalise at 1:1. LA Galaxy are unlikely to provide that level of assistance come Saturday night.
The Side I Would Select
Why break with a winning formula? This side in the 5-2-1-2 shape we played at Figueroa Street last Sat.
GK Frei
LB Nouhou
LCH Bell
CH Ragen
RCH Gomez Andrade (If he’s fit)
RB Alex
LDM Vargas
RDM Cristian
CAM Rusnak
LCF Morris
RCF de la Vega
The Side I Think The Gaffer Will Select
The only changes I’d expect are if Gomez Andrade is injured, and Nouhou for Baker-Whiting who is nursing a calf injury.
GK Frei
LB Nouhou
LCH Bell
CH Ragen
RCH Gomez Andrade (If he’s fit)
RB Alex
LDM Vargas
RDM Cristian
CAM Rusnak
LCF Morris
RCF de la Vega
Intangibles
The Referee for our MLS Cup Semi-Final will be Guido Gonzales Jr. The same official who presided over the Quarter-Final at Figueroa Street.
LA Galaxy results with Gonzales as Ref: 1-0-2
Sounders FC results with Gonzales as Ref: 2-1-1
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
Reus (Borussia Dortmund) free
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
Bibout (FC Tulsa) loan
Comparison against common opponents
SJ 1:3 LAG
LAG 4:3 SJ
SJ 0:3 LAG
SJ 1:2 LAG LC
SJ 3:2 SEA
SEA 2:2 SJ
(against SJ: LAG 4-0-0 +7, SEA 0-1-1 -1) edge LAG
LAG 3:3 STL
STL 2:1 LAG
STL 1:2 SEA
SEA 2:0 STL
(against STL: LAG 0-1-1 -1, SEA 2-0-0 +3) edge SEA
SKC 2:3 LAG
LAG 4:2 SKC
SKC 2:1 SEA
SEA 2:0 SKC
(against SKC: LAG 2-0-0 +3, SEA 1-0-1 +1) edge LAG
LAFC 2:1 LAG
LAG 1:2 LAFC
LAG 4:2 LAFC
LAFC 2:1 SEA
SEA 0:3 LAFC
SEA 0:3 LAFC LC
SEA 0:1 LAFC USOC
LAFC 1:2 SEA MLSC
(against LAFC: LAG 1-0-2 0, SEA 1-0-4 -7) edge LAG
VAN 1:3 LAG
LAG 4:2 VAN
SEA 0:2 VAN
SEA 1:1 VAN
VAN 0:3 SEA
(against VAN: LAG 2-0-0 +4, SEA 1-1-1 +1) edge LAG
ATX 2:0 LAG
LAG 2:1 ATX
SEA 0:0 ATX
ATX 0:1 SEA
(against ATX: LAG 1-0-1 -1, SEA 1-1-0 +1) edge SEA
LAG 2:2 RSL
RSL 0:1 LAG
RSL 2:0 SEA
SEA 1:1 RSL
(against RSL: LAG 1-1-0 +1, SEA 0-1-1 -2) edge LAG
MIN 2:2 LAG
LAG 2:1 MIN
LAG 6:2 MIN
SEA 2:0 MIN
MIN 2:3 SEA
SEA 2:0 MIN LC
(against MIN: LAG 2-1-0 +5, SEA 3-0-0 +5) edge SEA
LAG 2:1 HOU
HOU 2:1 LAG
HOU 2:2 SEA
SEA 1:0 HOU
SEA 0:0 HOU MLSC
HOU 1:1 SEA MLSC
(against HOU: LAG 1-0-1 0, SEA 1-3-0 +1) edge SEA
LAG 3:1 DAL
DAL 2:0 LAG
DAL 0:0 SEA
SEA 3:2 DAL
(against DAL: LAG 1-0-1 0, SEA 1-1-0 +1) edge SEA
CHI 2:1 LAG
SEA 2:1 CHI
(against CHI: LAG 0-0-1 -1, SEA 1-0-0 +1) edge SEA
LAG 3:2 COL
COL 1:3 LAG
LAG 5:0 COL MLSC
COL 1:4 LAG MLSC
SEA 1:1 COL
COL 0:1 SEA
(against COL: LAG 4-0-0 +11, SEA 1-1-0 +1) edge LAG
LAG 3:2 POR
POR 4:2 LAG
POR 1:2 SEA
POR 1:0 SEA
SEA 1:1 POR
(against POR: LAG 1-0-1 -1, SEA 1-1-1 0) edge SEA
Know Thine Enemy
Galaxy as they lined up against the Loons in their 6:2 MLS Quarter-Final victory at Avalon Boulevard on 24 November.
GOALKEEPER
John McCarthy, 32
United States
Notable Clubs: Philadelphia Union (21/0), Inter Miami (21/0), Los Angeles FC (26/0), Los Angeles Galaxy (32/0)
Estimated Transfer Value: €500,000
Notes: Played his university football for La Salle (74/0). Won an MLS Cup and an MLS League title with LAFC in 2022, by the most technical of margins. McCarthy played one match in the league last season for 90 minutes, and played three minutes at the end of the MLS Cup Final after Crepeau was sent-off, and then helped win the penalty kick tie-breaker. Named USL Rookie of the Year, USL Goalkeeper of the Year, and USL All-League First Team in 2014. Named MLS Cup MVP 2022. Awarded the CONCACAF Champions League Golden Glove 2023, and named to the CONCACAF Champions League Best XI 2023.
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 (23/0)
Estimated Transfer Value: €700,000
Notes: Developed by Internationals SC. Played his university football for North Carolina (41/1).
Maya Yoshida, 36
Japan (126/12)
Notable Clubs: Nagoya Grampus (71/5), VVV Venlo (54/5), Southampton (154/6), Sampdoria (72/3), Schalke 04 (29/0), Los Angeles Galaxy (46/3)
Estimated Transfer Value: €350,000
Notes: Developed by Nagoya Grampus. Won an AFC Asian Cup with Japan. Named to AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament 2019.
Emiro Garces, 23
Colombia
Notable Clubs: Deportiva Pereira (53/1), Los Angeles Galaxy (9/0)
Estimated Transfer Value: €700,000
Notes: Full name: Carlos Emiro Garces Torres. Won a Colombian league title with Deportivo Pereira.
Miki Yamane, 30
Japan (16/2)
Notable Clubs: Shonan Bellmare (100/3), Kawasaki Frontale (133/11), Los Angeles Galaxy (33/0)
Estimated Transfer Value: €1.6M
Notes: Developed by Azamino FC, Tokyo Verdy, Daiichi Gakuin HS, and Toin University of Yokohama. Won a J2 League title and J.League Cup with Shonan Bellmare. Won two J1 League titles, two Emperor’s Cup, and one Japanese Super Cup with Kawasaki Frontale. Named to J.League Best XI three times.
MIDFIELD
Riqui Puig, 25
Catalonia (2/0)
Notable Clubs: FC Barcelona (42/2), Los Angeles Galaxy (68/23)
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.
Edwin Cerrillo, 24
United States
Notable Clubs: FC Dallas (87/0), Los Angeles Galaxy (44/1)
Estimated Transfer Value: €2M
Notes: Developed by FC Dallas. Cerrillo has played at youth levels for United States (2/0).
Marco Reus, 35
Germany (48/15)
Notable Clubs: Rot Weiss Ahlen (43/5), Borussia Monchengladbach (97/36), Borussia Dortmund (294/120), Los Angeles Galaxy (6/1)
Estimated Transfer Value: €5M
Notes: Developed by Post SV Dortmund and Borussia Dortmund. Won two German Cups, and three German Supercups with Borussia Dortmund. Three times named German Player’s Union Bundesliga Player of the Season. Won Bundesliga Breakthrough of the Season. Bundesliga Top assist provider. Named six times to the Bundesliga Team of the Season. Twice named Footballer of the Year in Germany. Germany national Player of the Year. UEFA Team of the Year. UEFA Champions League Team of the Season.
FORWARD
Gabriel Pec, 23
Brazil
Notable Clubs: Vasco da Gama (168/25), Los Angeles Galaxy (33/16)
Estimated Transfer Value: €8M
Notes: Full Name: Gabriel Fortes Chaves. Developed by Vasco da Gama.
Dejan Joveljic, 25
Serbia (6/2)
Notable Clubs: Red Star Belgrade (21/11), Eintracht Frankfurt (4/0), Anderlecht (5/1), Wolfsberger AC (34/18), Los Angeles Galaxy (106/34)
Estimated Transfer Value: €5M
Notes: Developed by Sloga Junajted and Red Star Belgrade. Won two Serbian SuperLiga titles with Red Star Belgrade.
Joseph Paintsil, 26
Ghana (15/0)
Notable Clubs: Tema Youth (22/10), Ferencvaros (25/10), Genk (130/30), Ankaragucu (33/11), Los Angeles Galaxy (29/10)
Estimated Transfer Value: €9.5M
Notes: Developed by RB Ghana and Tema Youth. Won a Belgian league title and Belgian Super Cup with Genk.
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
LA Galaxy from:
McCarthy, Micovic, Scott, Yoshida, Zavaleta, Nelson, Neal, Yamane, Aude, Cuevas, Garces, Reus, Fagundez, Delgado, Cerrillo, Parente, Brugman, Puig, Vivi, Berry, Joveljic, Paintsil, Ramos, Bibout, Pec, Lepley.
Sounders FC from:
Frei, Thomas, Castro, Baker, Baker-Whiting, Bell, Gomez Andrade, Hawkins, Nathan, Nouhou, Ragen, Alex, Atencio, Baker-Whiting, De la Vega, Joao Paulo, Kitahara, Leyva, Rusnak, Vargas, Morris, Cristian, Leo Chu, Minoungou, Rodrigues, Ruidiaz, Teves.
Injury List
(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)
LA Galaxy -
OUT: Caceres (Achilles).
MATCHDAY DECISION: none.
Sounders FC -
OUT: Musovski (quadriceps), Rothrock (quadriceps).
MATCHDAY DECISION: Baker-Whiting (calf), Gomez Andrade (hamstring).
Discipline
(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)
No players are suspended from either team.
Fun Fact
Saturday's match marks the eighth time Seattle and the LA Galaxy have met in the MLS Cup.
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