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Jordan Morris leads second-half surge as Sounders topple Galaxy

MLS: Seattle Sounders FC at LA Galaxy

CARSON, Calif. — The surging Seattle Sounders found some grit in the second half and shoved the LA Galaxy aside to collect a much-needed 4-2 win in brutally hot conditions before an announced crowd of 25,819 at the StubHub Center on Sunday.

Jordan Morris raced past LA Galaxy defender Daniel Steres in the 62nd minute, then slotted home a right-footed shot past Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe to give the Sounders the go-ahead goal. Morris had been largely quiet in the match prior to his breakaway, managing only one shot in the first half.

Morris found his stride in the later minutes of the match, as the Galaxy appeared to wilt. He doubled the Sounders’ lead in the 74th minute when he collected a loose ball inside the box and poked it past a sprawling Rowe.

The Galaxy dominated play for the first half hour of the match, outshooting Seattle 6-1, and finally broke the game open with a Robbie Keane header off a Sebastian Lletget cross. It seemed that the Galaxy, not the Sounders, would be the team to bring enough desire and form to the match to prevail on the day.

But as the heat started to slow down the game, Seattle managed to pull the game level on an own goal by Galaxy defender Jelle Van Damme off a sharply struck Andreas Ivanschitz corner kick. It put Seattle on even terms heading into the locker room at half time, despite being outplayed for much of the first half.

The weather conditions were clearly a significant factor as the match wore on, with on-field temperatures at the kickoff hovering at around 100 degrees. Ultimately it would be the home side who wilted in the brutal conditions, not the visitors from the rainy Pacific Northwest.

Osvaldo Alonso finished off the scoring for Seattle with a cannon shot goal from 35 yards out that bent away from diving keeper Rowe and struck the side netting. With the three-goal lead, Seattle was celebrating en masse with traveling Sounders supporters, while the Galaxy had to endure a rare sight at the Stub Hub Center – fans leaving early, filling the aisles and heading to their cars with still over 15 minutes left to play.

The Galaxy managed to pull one back when late substitute Steven Gerrard drew a foul in the penalty area in the 84th minute. Robbie Keane converted, beating Stefan Frei low to the keeper’s right, for his second goal of the day. It might have been enough to earn Keane Man of the Match status, but after Los Angeles’ poor defensive showing, there was little reward for the Galaxy.

The win was crucial for the Sounders, who have now climbed to within two points of a playoff spot with four games to play. The Sounders now face a two-game week. They will host the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, before traveling to Vancouver for a Cascadia Cup showdown with the Whitecaps on Sunday.

The Galaxy saw a six-game unbeaten streak end, and surrendered second place  to the Colorado Rapids, who hold two games in hand. The Galaxy will travel to Texas for a tilt against first-place FC Dallas on Saturday.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jordan Morris‘ two goals on three shots was easily the difference on the day, leading Seattle’s second-half surge.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Morris shoving aside Galaxy center back Daniel Steres to gain an open shot on goal, which he converted in convincing fashion, turned the tide of the match once and for all in favor of the Sounders.

MATCH TO FORGET

Jelle Van Damme, who has been one of the Galaxy’s brightest stars all season, allowed Seattle back into he match with his glancing own goal header in the 35th minute.

Comments

  1. Not sure how Twellman missed the call..on the Morris goal. He seemed perplexed by how Morris got past and then out ran Steres. Morris deftly grabbed the defender just enough to slow him down and then once on the inside track, it was all over. It’s a little and subtle thing that Morris did 50 yards from goal that opened up the goal-chance. Converted. Love it.

    Reply
    • He did a slight grab. He is that fast though…and with size.

      I think he will continue to be a big, big star and he will be the stereotypical American forward going forward. Nice to see him put the team on his back with Dempsey out.

      Reply
    • “Slight grab” is a bit of an understatement. How about “grabbed his marker by the waist and threw him out of the way?” Ref missed it because he’s one of the worst the MLS has to offer. Twellman missed it for the same reason.

      All that said – the Galaxy really aren’t very good. Now they gotta beat Dallas twice to have any hope of grabbing a first round bye. Not likely. Which means, what, another trip to Seattle for a first round knockout match? How’d that work out for them last year?

      Reply
  2. “Announced crowd” is a bit harsh. The game had a good crowd, it just looked like less due to people searching for shade. As a result behind the goal was unusually empty, but the walk ways beneath the upper deck were packed.

    Reply
  3. It was the tale of two halves. LAG were wasteful with good chances in the first half and did not put the game out of reach. Seattle sat back and were good on the counter. The only thing that took some of the sting away from the loss as an LAG fan was that Morris is a USMNT forward, so there’s some silver lining.

    LD had a great cross that Alan Gordon should have buried but instead headed right to Frei. He also a half decent left footed shot that missed the frame. Not a bad 25 minutes, but still has a ways to go.

    Reply

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