Sounders FC @ LA Galaxy
May 26, 2013, 8 pm PT, The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
TV/Radio: ESPN2; KIRO Radio 97.3 FM; ESPN Deportes (Spanish)
LA’s Record: The Galaxy are fourth in the Western Conference at 5-4-2 (17 points), but have lost three of their last five matches.
All-time series: LA leads the all-time regular season series 4-3-2. Including MLS Cup playoff matches, LA leads 7-4-2 and when US Open Cup matches are included, that deficit narrows to 7-6-2. The teams are even at 10-10 in scoring in MLS regular season matches after the Sounders outscored LA 6-1 in three matches last year.
Injury Report: Sounders FC – OUT: GK Josh Ford (R patella fracture). QUESTIONABLE: D Ashani Fairclough (L adductor strain); M Osvaldo Alonso (L adductor strain); M Steve Zakuani (abdominal strain); M Mauro Rosales (R AC joint sprain). LA Galaxy – Not available.
Key player: The Galaxy have dangerous players all over the field, but perhaps the most important to their success is Omar Gonzalez. The fifth-year centerback out of Maryland is now getting regular time with the US National Team and that is in large part due to his rampant success with the Galaxy. They have allowed just two goals in five home matches and Gonzalez has been key to that. He is also a threat offensively off of corner kicks and has six goals in 111 career regular season matches to show for it.
Notes: On Saturday, the Galaxy traded midfielder Mike Magee, sending the second-leading scorer in the league to the Chicago Fire for the rights to midfielder Robbie Rogers. They then signed the 2008 Best XI midfielder to a contract, making him the first openly gay player in MLS. … Both teams will board cross-country flights on Monday for midweek US Open Cup matches. The Sounders will meet the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the third round while the Galaxy face the Carolina Railhawks. Both matches will be Wednesday night. … The Sounders and Galaxy are two of three teams, with Real Salt Lake being the third, who have reached the MLS Cup playoffs in each of the past four seasons. … Sunday will be Dodger Night at The Home Depot Center, with All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez conducting the pregame coin toss.
