“Gabriel Pec gave LA Galaxy the lead against the run of play. Seattle had been the more dominant side in the opening exchanges, but Galaxy exploited space on the break and Pec finished clinically to make it 0-1, silencing the home crowd.”
Pivotal“A frantic end to the first half saw Peter Kingston booked for a foul, followed almost immediately by Miki Yamane receiving a yellow card just before the break. The double caution reflected Seattle's growing frustration at being unable to find an equaliser despite their dominance.”
“Substitute Matheus Nascimento put the result beyond any doubt in stoppage time, slotting home to make it 2-0 just moments after coming off the bench and condemning Seattle to a damaging home defeat despite their overwhelming territorial superiority throughout the match.”
Pivotal
Seattle Sounders
LA Galaxy
Outstanding performance
LA Galaxy•MidfielderLA Galaxy pulled off a textbook smash-and-grab in Seattle, winning 2-0 despite being thoroughly second-best in almost every statistical category. The Sounders controlled 58% of possession, registered 15 shots to Galaxy's nine, and created three big chances — all three of which they squandered — while Galaxy converted one of their two shots on target in each half to take all three points. Gabriel Pec's 23rd-minute opener against the run of play gave the visitors a lead they defended with discipline and no small amount of fortune, with goalkeeper Stefan Frei's counterpart racking up five saves to preserve the clean sheet. A chaotic spell of yellow cards at the end of the first half — Kingston and Yamane both booked within a minute of each other — hinted at the mounting frustration in Seattle's ranks, and that tension never lifted as Brian Schmetzer's side pushed for an equalizer they simply could not find. Matheus Nascimento's injury-time finish from the bench sealed the result, and for Seattle this is a damaging home loss in a tight title race context, while Galaxy's ruthless efficiency in front of goal will give their supporters genuine optimism heading into the coming weeks.
How entertaining was this match?
Matheus NascimentoMatheus Nascimento de Paula scores with a right-footed shot.
James Thomas Marcinkowski receives a yellow card.
Jordan Morris takes a header, but it's saved.
Hassani Dotson takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Sebastian Gomez takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Matheus Nascimento de Paula is substituted for Joseph Paintsil.
Paul Rothrock's header is blocked.
Sebastian Gomez is substituted for Snyder Brunell.
Albert Rusnak takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Osaze De Rosario takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Mauricio Cuevas comes on for Miki Yamane.
Lucas Agustin Sanabria Magole comes on for Erik Thommy.
Harbor Miller replaces Marco Reus.
Cristian Roldan comes on for Antino Lopez.
Osaze De Rosario comes on for Jesus Ferreira.
Paul Rothrock replaces Paul Arriola.
Gabriel Fortes Chaves takes a left-footed shot that hits the post.
Marco Reus takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Paul Arriola's header is saved.
Albert Rusnak takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Albert Rusnak takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Paul Arriola attempted a header but missed the shot.
Antino Lopez's header is blocked.
Kalani Kossa Rienzi replaces Peter Kingston.
Peter Kingston takes a right-footed shot but misses.
The first half ends with the score at 0-1.
Joseph Paintsil takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Joseph Paintsil's right-footed shot is blocked.
Jakob Glesnes takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Nouhou Tolo's header is saved.
Gabriel Fortes Chaves takes a shot with his left foot and scores.
Jesus Ferreira takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Joseph Paintsil's right-footed shot is blocked.
Albert Rusnak comes on for Danny Musovski.
Marco Reus takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Danny Musovski takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Seattle Sounders welcome LA Galaxy to Lumen Field in a marquee MLS Western Conference clash, with the hosts sitting pretty in 4th place and riding a strong recent run. The Galaxy arrive in 9th, desperate for points to climb the standings, making this a must-win for LA and a chance for Seattle to consolidate their playoff position.
