The Gyasi Zardes slump and Ozzie Alonso's status

The LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders have been hard at work training in Carson, California ahead of their Western Conference final matchup with a main storyline emerging for each club. In the case of the Galaxy the concern has been Gyasi Zardes' scoring drought, while Seattle has had to worry about the fitness of Ozzie Alonso.

Sophomore forward Zardes last scored for the Galaxy seven appearances ago, in a 4-0 drubbing of the New York Red Bulls. His performance against Real Salt Lake was his best in over a month, and he still couldn't put one in the net. He's developed a reputation for his finishing and his headers, but even in a good performance he was 1-for-4 in getting the ball on target. Robbie Keane thinks the young forward may be overthinking things.

Interesting criticism of Zardes by Keane. Says the FWD is trying to do too much individually when in front of goal. Needs to "smash it."

— Adam Serrano (@LAGalaxyInsider) November 21, 2014

In Seattle's camp, there is mixed optimism that Osvaldo Alonso will be able to take the field on Sunday. Earlier in the week Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane concurred with this optimism, but Bruce Arena told reporters how the team is really feeling.

Bruce Arena on Ozzie Alonso's status: 'He's not going to go. I'd bet the house on that'

— Matt Pentz (@mattpentz) November 22, 2014

Bruce Arena is a master of injury report manipulation. This is the man who had everyone in the dark about Robbie Keane not playing in the season finale against Seattle. I wonder what clue he's reading that Alonso will not go tomorrow?