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Seattle Sounders Blow Out Hapless LA Galaxy With Flank Play

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CARSON, CA (April 23, 2017) – It was an absolute unraveling at the StubHub Center on Sunday afternoon. The LA Galaxy were blown out 3-0 by the visiting Seattle Sounders. Seattle got three first half goals with Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris doing damage. They were able to protect the lead against a less than sharp Galaxy attack.

Galaxy Head Coach Curt Onalfo started almost the exact same Starting XI from last game. Brian Rowe started in goal for the injured Clement Diop. Nathan Smith started again at right back. Giovani dos Santos and Gyasi Zardes started up top.

Seattle Head Coach Brian Schmetzer made some changes to his side. Will Bruin made his first start for the club up top. Jordan Morris and Nicolás Lodeiro were on the wings in a 4-2-3-1. Tony Alfaro and Gustav Svensson started at center back.

Seattle Sounders Blow Out Hapless LA Galaxy With Flank Play

The visitors made their intentions clear from the start. Morris, Lodiero, and Joevin Jones bombed forward down their left flank to attack the Nathan Smith and Daniel Steres side of the defense. The Galaxy responded on the counter attack.

Dos Santos tried to find Zardes on several occasions. Romain Alessandrini and Dos Santos linked up on several occasions as well.

Seattle finally drew first blood in the 29th minute. Jones and Lodiero teamed up on Smith, allowing Lodiero to get an open cross to the front of goal. Dempsey rose up to attack the ball and headed it into the back of goal.

They would double their advantage in the 35th minute on an own goal from Ashley Cole. The Sounders got a counter attack going from midfield. The ball fell to Lodiero, who fired a low cross past Smith and into the box. Cole attempted to clear it, but put it into the back of his own net.

The Sounders would make it three just before half time. Jordy Delem got loose down his right flank. He got the ball to Dempsey, who laid it off to Morris, who sent the ball far post past Rowe.

The half ended 3-0 with Cristian Roldan and Romain Alessandrini on yellow cards.

LA looks a bit more active to start the half. Dos Santos had a golden chance in the 51st minute when a rebound from Frei fell to him with an opening in front of goal. The striker shanked it wide. Seattle responded with a good counter attack, but Dempsey hit the cross bar.

Onalfo made one attacking sub, bringing Bradford Jamieson IV on in the 72nd minute. Zardes almost scored at the death, forcing Frei into giving up a rebound that almost fell to Alessandrini. Nothing came of it and the match ended 3-0.

This was a massive win for the Sounders. Dempsey and Morris got off the snide. They got a road win in conference.

For the Galaxy, the struggles continue. They’ve now lost two straight and three home games to Western Conference opponents in 2017. The defense has been riddled with youthful mistakes. Jermaine Jones and Joao Pedro haven’t developed chemistry. Romain Alessandrini continues to be the only source of offense with Zardes and Dos Santos struggling in their returns.

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