Galaxy Quiets the Sounders 1-0

Alan Gordon scored the lone goal but Galaxy and Jaime Penedo made it stand.

Alan Gordon scored the lone goal but Galaxy and Jaime Penedo made it stand.

By Tim Peterson

(Carson) – Alan Gordon scored on a header off a cross from Omar Gonzalez in the 23rd minute and Jaime Penedo made it stand up as the LA Galaxy shut out Seattle 1-0 Sunday before a sold out crowd of 27,000 at StubHub Center.

Penedo made big stops throughout the contest to keep the Sounders scoreless. He stopped a Lamar Neagle head off of a cross by pushing it over the top in the 10th minute. In the 36th minute Penedo came up huge again saving a goal off another Neagle blast.

Penedo had 10 saves overall as he constantly turned the Sounders away.

Omar Gonzalez and the Galaxy put a lot of pressure on Sounder goaltender Stefan Frei

Omar Gonzalez and the Galaxy put a lot of pressure on Sounder goaltender Stefan Frei

“I thought Penedo put on an excellent performance. Also Frei for Seattle made some big saves. I thought both goalkeepers played well,” said Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena.

Frei kept the Galaxy to just one goal by shutting down a Robbie Rogers attempt in the 48th minute and also stopping Gordon in the 63rd. Gordon tried another header on the left side after receiving a corner pass but Frei made the play.

After his goal, Alan Gordon took a pounding on the pitch.

After his goal, Alan Gordon took a pounding on the pitch.

It was Penedo’s turn again late as he stepped in front of an Obafemi Martins shot in the 73rd minute.

Three minutes of extra time were added but the Galaxy was able to hold on. The Galaxy had 16 shots on goal compared to 14 for Seattle. Frei was only credited with three saves compared to 10 for Penedo but it seemed like LA had Frei pressured throughout the match.

The Galaxy played without last years’s MVP Robbie Keane who was injured last week against Vancouver. “He should be ready next week,” Arena said.

The Galaxy improved to 2-2-2 with the victory while the Sounders dropped to 2-2-1.

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