Sounders, looking to keep playoff hopes alive, face old rival Galaxy
SEATTLE SOUNDERS (10-13-5, 35 POINTS) AT LA GALAXY (11-4-15, 48 POINTS)
1 p.m., Sunday, StubHub Center, Carson, Calif.
TV: ESPN. Radio: 107.7-FM, 1360-AM.
Head to head: This is the third of three MLS matches between the Western Conference rivals but the first in California. The Galaxy have won once (1-0, July 9) and tied the other (1-1, July 31) in Seattle. The Galaxy also beat the Sounders, 4-2, in California in a US Open Cup quarterfinal match on July 20. LA leads the all-time series, 9-4-7.
Notes: The Sounders broke their three-game streak without a win last week vs. Vancouver thanks to Jordan Morris’ team-best 10th goal. They will need to be in top form against the Galaxy if they want to continue their playoff drive. … The Sounders sit in seventh place — six teams make it in — and five points behind Sporting Kansas City with six to play. Working in their favor is Sporting KC has only four left, so even a tie or a loss on Sunday would not be devastating. The team won’t have the services of Clint Dempsey, who remains out after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. … The second-place Galaxy is unbeaten in its past six games and have welcomed Landon Donovan back to the team from retirement. Donovan, in his second game back last Sunday, scored his MLS all-time leading 145th goal to help the Galaxy tie Sporting Kansas City, 2-2. .. The StubHub Center has been good for the Galaxy, who have not lost at home this season (8-0-7) and have compiled a 42-5-18 mark there over the last four seasons. The Sounders have not won there since 2009, which includes 11 games in league and MLS Cup play. … The Galaxy — who should have the services of leading scorer Giovani dos Santos (14 goals) after he missed the previous game with a hip flexor injury — also have their own motivation as a win would clinch a playoff berth.
Next: The Sounders host Chicago ay 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Darrin Beene, staff writer
This story was originally published September 24, 2016 at 7:41 PM with the headline "Sounders, looking to keep playoff hopes alive, face old rival Galaxy."