Photos courtesy of the LA Galaxy.
Jordan Morris, left, and Sebastian Lletget found the back of the net on Sunday night.
How the winds have suddenly changed for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
When the regular season resumed back in August, the Galaxy had seemingly found a second life, winning four matches in a row earning a draw in the fifth match. The 13 points earned had vaulted them back into the playoff picture, and all of a sudden, the Galaxy seemed poised to be considered as a potential darkhorse team in the MLS playoff picture.
However things have since changed dramatically, as the Seattle Sounders handed the Galaxy a 3-1 loss on Sunday night at Dignity Sports Park. The loss is now the Galaxy’s third straight loss, and a team that once seemed prime for an unexpected run is now fighting to make the playoffs.
“We all are very disappointed,” Galaxy striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez said. “We did pretty bad in the first half and then in the second half we improved, but it wasn’t enough and I think it was too late.”
The Sounders jumped ahead in the 12th minute. Nouhou Tolo sent a ball forward for Morris, who had gotten behind the Galaxy defense. Morris sprinted on the left side into the penalty area, the Galaxy’s Rolf Feltscher tried to close the space, but Morris managed to get the cross off and Roldan beat Keeper Dave Bingham to the ball and slotted the open net shot into the back net. The goal was reviewed to see if Morris was offside prior to Tolo’s ball, but the goal eventually stood.
Then it was Morris’ turn to be the goal scorer. It happened in the 38th minute, as Nicolas Lodeiro sprung Morris with a precise ball that Morris ran down from the same left side, Morris touched the ball into the penalty area and fired the shot past Bingham to double the Sounders lead.
The Galaxy did start the second half much better, getting into Seattle’s half of the field on several occasions. The best chance for the Galaxy to find the back net came in the 50th minute, as Emiliano Insua crossed into the penalty area and Sebastian Lletget sent a dangerous header that missed the near post.
Ultimately, the Sounders made the Galaxy pay for not cashing in on its aggressiveness at the start of the half. Joao Paulo sent a long ball forward, Roldan got behind the Galaxy defense by inches and sprinted for goal. Roldan dribbled into the penalty area, Bingham came off his line and Roldan chipped ball over Bingham into the back net. The Galaxy eventually did find the back net in the 88th minute, as Lletget headed home a Feltscher cross, but it was too late by then for the Galaxy to attempt any comeback.
