Marcelo Sarvas gets the game winner for the Galaxy. (Photo by Duane Barker)
By Tim Peterson
(Carson) – The LA Galaxy fired 20 shots on goal but only three of them were on target. One of those three hit the net and that was enough to beat Seattle 1-0 Sunday before a sold out crowd of 27,000 at StubHub Center.
Marcelo Sarvas got the one as he booted a center shot off a defender’s leg and by Sounder goal keeper Stefan Frei in the 52nd minute with an assist from A.J. DeLaGarza. The Galaxy had other opportunities to add to the lead, namely a shot by Stefan Ishizaki right in front that sailed high over the top of the net. Robbie Keane also missed high from point blank range in the first half.
The Galaxy will now play the Sounders in Seattle next Sunday in the two game playoff set that is decided by aggregate goals.
“Winning 1-0 was probably the third best option,” said Galaxy mid fielder Landon Donovan. “With 3-0 and 2-0 being the number one and two options. But we’re confident next week going to Seattle.”
Was this Landon Donovan’s last game at Stubhub Center? He and the Galaxy hope not! (Photo by Duane Barker)
The Galaxy out shot Seattle 20-10 and owned the time of possession 60 percent to 40. They had 13 inside shots to the Sounders three. The only stat Seattle led in was fouls – 14-11.
Seattle tried to stay in the game by being physical with LA knocking players to the turf and continually pushing and shoving.
“They want to play physical and we’ll have to match that but that’s ok. We can play that way,” Donovan said. “The officials have made it clear that nobody is going off.”
Sarvas left the game in the 69th minute after getting knocked in the hip by a Seattle player.
“It’s clear that the officials don’t want anybody to leave the field and we’ll have to get used to playing that way,” said Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena. “It was important for us to get a lead going to Seattle. We had chances to get another one but couldn’t score. It will be a battle on Sunday. I thought Jaime Pinedo (goal keeper) came up big. He wasn’t really tested in the first half but he survived a couple of flurries by Seattle in the second.”
Sarvas should be able to go next week and everybody else for the Galaxy is relatively healthy. If the Galaxy wins next week they will be back at StubHub Center December 7 as the playoffs continue.
If they fall short next week, Sunday’s 1-0 victory would be Donovan’s last home game.
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