LA Galaxy defeat Seattle Sounders 3-0 quieting the Sound

The LA Galaxy (8-4-6, 30 pts) defeated the Seattle Sounders in Seattle for the first time since 2011, and they did it swiftly managing a 3-0 scoreline by halftime that stood until the final whistle. Gyasi Zardes got the opener with Landon Donovan's help and then Donovan cleaned up a rebound for the second. Stephan Ishizaki finished off a lovely final third passing sequence to put the match beyond doubt for LA.

There were four changes from the team that lost to Sporting Kansas City their last time out, with Robbie Rogers and Omar Gonzalez returning from injury. Dan Gargan returned from his suspension, so the three of them were able to relieve the back line that gave Kansas City several big opportunities and A.J. DeLaGarza slid back to team up with Omar Gonzalez and center back.

The defensive substitutions really did the trick as LA held Seattle to only their third scoreless affair of the season. DeLaGarza showed a quickness to clean things up at the back, Robbie Rogers and Dan Gargan were good on recoveries, and Omar Gonzalez was his typical anchor of the whole operation.

Offensively the Galaxy reinserted Stefan Ishizaki and with he and Landon Donovan playing wide midfielders Seattle seemed to have difficulty containing the out-in movement up the pitch. Marcelo Sarvas dominated things in the central midfield, and both Donovan and Ishizaki were free to cut in when the moment was right resulting in the two players being a part of all three goals.

Most importantly the Galaxy passing was on point, with long passing sequences and an accuracy that separates the good days from the bad. Their passing volume wasn't that different from Seattle, but seven through balls to the Sounders' zero shows an accuracy in the final third.

So much went right for the LA Galaxy, who now return how to take on the Portland Timbers on a nationally televised match this Saturday at 11:30 am.