LA Galaxy close preseason with 4-0 defeat to Seattle Sounders

The Seattle Sounders tore through the LA Galaxy, as Bruce Arena's men closed preseason with a 4-0 defeat at a rain-lashed StubHub Center on Wednesday night. Andreas Ivanschitz struck twice , while Chad Marshall and Clint Dempsey were also on target for the Sounders.

From the start, the Galaxy showed no ill effects from the bad field conditions and twice came close to taking the lead through Robbie Keane.

The Sounders, however, would grab the breakthrough on 22 minutes when Andreas Ivanschitz pounced outside the box to beat Brian Rowe for the 1-0.

Next, Brad Evans intercepted Ivanschitz free-kick down the right and executed a back-heel for Chad Marshall, who fired home from close range to double the lead.

The Galaxy barely tested the Sounders' defense, and the only other chances on the half were a blocked Robbie Keane shot in the 34th minute and a late Steven Gerrard penalty shout.

In the second half, the Sounders had a third when Jordan Morris fed Clint Dempsey to score on some more calamitous defending from the Galaxy.

The hosts soon conceded a fourth. Morris again burst down the right channel before Ivanschitz tucked in with ease.

In the final minutes of the match, both teams made numerous substitutions and the Sounders ran away with the resounding victory.

Now the Galaxy have just a week to dwell on the defeat, with their all-important next game against Santos Laguna on February 24.