Following the final whistle of the second leg of the MLS Western Conference Semifinals on November 10 at CenturyLink Field, the stage had been set for the next chapter of Sounders FC’s memorable season. The LA Galaxy, looking for a record fifth MLS Cup, stood as the only barrier in front of Seattle’s quest to reach its first-ever league final. Although the storyline features a rematch of the dramatic Supporters’ Shield showdown at the end of the regular season, there is a notable change in character.
Forward Robbie Keane and defender Omar Gonzalez, who were sidelined for the October 25 match in Seattle, will both be available for the Galaxy in Sunday’s first leg.
“If it goes the same way, I’ll be very happy,” Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid said. “We’d be very happy with a draw down there and coming home and winning. But you never know. Each game takes on its own personality, and it’s going to be exciting. It’s going to be two good teams playing each other.”
The nature of this match will surely be impacted by the return of LA’s stars.
Keane rested a nagging injury, while Gonzalez was suspended after receiving a second yellow card late in a 2-2 draw against Seattle on October 19. Marco Pappa scored two goals in the final five minutes to secure a 2-0 win for Sounders FC and the club’s first Supporters’ Shield.
LA evidently shook off the loss, though, as the highest-scoring team during the regular season defeated Real Salt Lake, 5-0, on aggregate, in the Conference Semifinals. Keane scored once and added three assists in his return to excellent form.
The 34-year-old also represented Ireland last week in a Euro 2016 qualifier in Glasgow, Scotland. His tally of 65 career international goals is an Irish record.
Keane has displayed his world-class skills all season long. The Galaxy’s captain ranked third in MLS with 19 goals in the regular season and tied for second in assists with 14. His league-high 122 shots denote just how much of a threat he is in front of goal.
“In my opinion, he's the best player in the league,” LA forward Landon Donovan said after the October 25 match. “So when you're missing that, that's going to hurt you. That's probably where we were lacking a little bit today, a special quality in the final third. And when we have him in there, he provides that.”
In addition to Keane’s presence, Gonzalez brings immense talent and experience to the back line. The 26-year-old centerback has 24 caps for U.S. Men’s National Team and has been selected to three MLS Best XI squads.
“He’s a good player,” Sounders FC forward Clint Dempsey said of Gonzalez. “He has shown it over his MLS career and in breaking into the National Team. But we go out and try to focus on our game, how to create opportunities for ourselves, and to create mismatches when we can.”
As soccer junkies prepare to make predictions for this series, there are many variables to consider. One factor that will make it different than the October 25 match is the availability of Keane and Gonzalez.
Simply, Dempsey sums it up: “This is a clean slate, and this is the playoffs.”
