CARSON, CALIF. (September 23, 2018) – Sunday’s MLS schedule featured the first LA Galaxy clean sheet in over two months. The Galaxy defeated Seattle Sounders FC 3-0. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ola Kamara, and Emmanuel Boateng scored the goals.
First LA Galaxy clean sheet since July 7: Galaxy shutout Seattle Sounders 3-0
The Galaxy got out in front just nine minutes in. With the sides trading chances, Ibrahimovic got the ball in the box and laid it off to an onrushing Kamara. Brad Smith tripped Kamara up and Jose Carlos Rivero called a PK. Ibrahimovic converted from the spot, sending goalkeeper Stefan Frei the wrong way.
Seattle’s best chance of the first half came in the 25th minute. On the counter, Will Bruin got a free header at the far post but put it wide of the post.
Los Angeles went up 2-0 in the 40th minute. After some good passing to get numbers into the final third, Ibrahimovic passed to Alessandrini who found time and space near the touchline. He sent a low hard pass to the far post for Kamara for a tap-in goal.
The half ended 2-0 with Rolf Feltscher on a yellow card and having a stern talking to from the officials for several hard tackles. Brad Smith exited the match in the first half with an injury.
Emma Boateng got just his second goal of the year in the second half. Alessandrini got into a good position after a pass by Sebastian Lletget to flip the field. Alessandrini got into the box but lost control of the ball. Roman Torres had a chance to clear it but made a mistake and Boateng tapped it underneath Frei and over the line.
The match ended 3-0 without much event.
Three takeaways:
Galaxy stars show up: Every attacking star for the Galaxy showed up. This was one of the best performances by the front six in some time. Three different players scored goals. Alessandrini had two assists. Jonathan dos Santos and Sebastian Lletget were excellent in the middle.
Battle in the midfield: This game was all about the Galaxy pressing the Sounders and Seattle not being able to get around it. Nicholas Lodeiro and Ozzie Alonso saw pressure almost immediately on the ball. Raul Ruidiaz and Bruin were limited because they couldn’t get any service. The credit for this LA Galaxy clean sheet goes to the midfield.
Hope and doubt: Combined with an FC Dallas 2-1 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, both these teams are in a playoff dogfight. The Galaxy still need some help but have several six-pointers coming up. After a record winning streak, they have now lost two in a row to weaker opponents. They’ve sustained some injuries. They’re a good position but looking worse for wear.
