Wild second half leads to Galaxy, Sounders FC draw

Nine cards shown, including one red, in tie at Qwest Field

Kasey Keller and Sounders FC played to a 1-1 draw with the Galaxy on Sunday. (Getty Images)

In what had been a physical game, tensions boiled over in the 57th minute when Riley became entangled with fallen LA center back Gregg Berhalter. In the ensuing melee, Riley struck the Galaxy's Mike Magee in the head. After initially giving Riley a yellow card, Weyland became aware of the infraction and sent off the Sounders FC defender.

The altercation spoiled what had been an entertaining game in the first half. After a rough start, both teams found their attacking rhythm and the fans were treated to some exciting soccer in the middle stages of the game, with Seattle's Sebastian Le Toux and LA's Alan Gordon trading first-half goals.

Neither side had any clear-cut changes in the early going, as most of the action played out in the center of the field.

However, there were collisions -- just seconds into the match, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado fell awkwardly to the turf. Unable to put his hands out after an aerial challenge, Hurtado went face-first into the Qwest Field turf. Steve Zakuani, engaged with Los Angeles right back Tony Sanneh, also went down hard on his shoulder in the first half.

Landon Donovan also found himself on the receiving end of a tough tackle by Seattle's Tyrone Marshall. The ensuing free kick rattled around the penalty are before being cleared by Osvaldo Alonso. Gordon earned the match's first caution by dumping Ljungberg in midfield.

However, the game soon settled down.

The first goal came from a defensive breakdown by Los Angeles. Jaqua broke in with a well-timed run behind Los Angeles' static back line, which appeared to be waiting for an offside call that never came.

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts compounded the mistake by coming off his line but failing to claim the ball in front of Jaqua, who touched the ball to Le Toux. With an empty net beckoning, Le Toux took a touch and passed the ball into the center of the goal for his first MLS goal.

It was a moment of vindication for Le Toux, who was given the opportunity to play up front after Fredy Montero's red card last week against Chicago.

After the first goal, the game opened up and Seattle found more room to maneuver in the midfield. Jaqua nearly made it 2-0 in the 25th minute but his header off a Brad Evans cross hit the near post and rebounded out of play. For a few minutes after Seattle's goal, Los Angeles was reeling and was in danger of conceding a second.

However, the Galaxy managed to keep their composure and found a first-half equalizer on a quick-hitting counterattack. Dema Kovalenko started the attack by passing wide to Mike Magee on the left wing, who crossed towards Alan Gordon. At the back post, the 6-foot-3 Oregon State graduate outleaped his marker and headed in past a helpless Keller.

It was now the Galaxy's chance to turn the screws, but Bruce Arena's squad failed to add another before half. In fact, it was Seattle which had an appeal for a penalty kick turned down in the 45th minute. Kovalenko clattered into Jaqua from behind as the striker attempted to shoot. Jaqua went down in the penalty area, but despite the screams of the Sounders FC players -- and the opinion of the capacity crowd, who made their opinion on the matter very clear -- Weyland signaled "play on."

Nathan Sturgis was tasked with marking Donovan, but Seattle always had two eyes on the explosive scoring threat. Besides a couple of crosses and a wide shot, Donovan's impact in the first half was limited.

Seattle started the second half with vigor, earning two corner kicks in the first four minutes. Zakuani in particular looked dangerous -- the 37-year-old Sanneh did not have the speed to keep up with the rookie. On one run, Zakuani found an unmarked Ljungberg in the penalty area but the Swede headed over Ricketts' goal.

However, this spell of attacking ended with Riley's red card in the 57th minute. With their right back out, Seattle was forced to play the majority of the second half with a man down for the second consecutive game. Magee and Ljungberg also received cautions in the aftermath.

An emboldened L.A. almost capitalized off another counterattack, as Chris Klein found space in the penalty area and unleashed a rocket. But Keller was up to the task, diving to his right and corralling the short rebound. Donovan also reappeared, making one excellent run down the right side in the 68th minute.

Even with the man disadvantage, Seattle tried to get forward to claim the victory at home. An active Ljungberg led most of the Sounders FC attacks but was unable to get past Ricketts.

Stephen King almost latched onto a through ball in the 87th minute, just seconds after coming onto the field.

However, the game ended in a 1-1 draw, for Los Angeles its sixth draw in eight games. The Galaxy return home next weekend for a Sunday afternoon clash with the Columbus Crew, while Sounders FC travel to FC Dallas on Saturday night.

Andrew Winner is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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