Sounders FC kick off crucial set of matches
Seattle start the first of three Western Conference games against LA
However, Seattle coach Sigi Schmid expects a slow game from Los Angeles coach Bruce Arena. After a last-place finish in 2008, Arena has started the rebuilding process by making sure the Galaxy (1-1-5) have a chance to win every game.
"He's trying to figure out a way to stay in every game that he's in. When you look at L.A.'s games on the average there is usually less shots on goal than there are on other games," Schmid said. "There are (fewer) corners ... because it is a little more conservative than the attacking side of it.
"He's doing what any coach does, which is you're trying to give your team a chance to win the game."
Schmid's assertion is borne out by the Galaxy's results. Although they've only won once, they've tied an amazing five of their seven games. Despite major attacking threats such as Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle, Arena has been preaching defense after the Galaxy allowed 62 goals last season -- easily the most in MLS.
Despite the Galaxy's slow-it-down approach, Sounders FC know that Donovan is a threat to score every time he gets the ball. And with the absence of David Beckham, Schmid says Galaxy players look to funnel the ball directly to Donovan. The U.S. international has had a hand in nearly every L.A. goal this season, leading the team with five goals and three assists out of nine goals scored.
"Obviously when you have a player like Beckham, sometimes the team looks for him. Sometimes they look for him in the right situations; sometimes they look for him in the wrong situations," Schmid said. "From that standpoint, maybe their lines of clarity are a little better because the guy they're going to be looking for on a more consistent basis is Landon Donovan. And Landon knows he's the guy who is going to get the ball more times than not."
Seattle enters the game without the services of Fredy Montero. The Colombian, who hasn't scored since notching three tallies in his first two games, was sent off last week for elbowing Chicago's Gonzalo Segares. In his place, it looks likely Sebastien Le Toux will see some action in some capacity. Another possible replacement, Jarrod Smith, left training with a hamstring strain on Friday, meaning the Frenchman should get another opportunity.
"We've got different options (as the second striker). Obviously we played Freddie Ljungberg there in the game against Toronto. Sebastien played there in the Open Cup game, so he's a possibility," Schmid said, adding that Roger Levesque, Sanna Nyassi and Smith were also options.
In an attempt to unlock the Los Angeles defense, Seattle will likely also turn to Steve Zakuani. The team has eased their top draft pick into the season and he's responded with some excellent attacking play on the left side of midfield. Schmid joked that with FC Barcelona coming to town, Zakuani had scored a Thierry Henry-like goal in training.
Los Angeles might also have some fatigue - the Galaxy tied Real Salt Lake on Wednesday in the city's thin mountain air. That exciting game featured three goals in the second-half stoppage time, as Los Angeles scored at the death to earn another tie.
Andrew Winner is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
