SEATTLE – The Seattle Sounders rebounded from their loss to Necaxa to beat LA Galaxy 3-1 in the Leagues Cup round of 32 on Thursday. First-half goals from Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Jackson Ragen and Alex Roldan led the Sounders to victory, although a late goal from Gabriel Pec denied Andrew Thomas and Seattle a shutout.
The Sounders started similarly to their game against Necaxa, taking an early two-goal lead. The differences this time were simple: both goals were scored by the center backs from corners, and the goal that made it 2-0 was not taken back despite a brief review.
Yeimar got things started in the 4th minute when he rose and headed in Albert Rusnák’s corner. Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy tried but couldn’t stop it. It took just three minutes for Seattle to score again from another corner. This time Rusnák’s pass fell to Morris, but McCarthy was able to save the shot with a header. Unfortunately for him, the rebound fell to Jackson Ragen at the far post and Ragen hammered his shot onto the crossbar to make it 2-0 in the 7th minute.
The Sounders had 64% possession in the first half, but despite their possession, the Galaxy could hardly threaten. The visitors managed just two shots on goal in the half, neither of which Thomas was called upon to save. Seattle continued to press to extend their lead, firing 12 shots on goal in total, 11 of which came from inside the box. The one shot from outside the box was notable, however. Deep into first half stoppage time, the Sounders took a throw-in in Galaxy territory. Cristian Roldan leapt onto a loose defensive header in the box and played the ball back to his brother on the edge of the box. Alex Roldan received the ball and then fired a beautiful curling shot straight into the opposite side’s net, making it 3-0 in the 4th minute of stoppage time.
The second half had its moments, as the Galaxy looked to be able to pull one goal back in the 53rd minute. Paul Rothrock committed a foul on the edge of the box and received a yellow card for it, and Maya Yoshida touched the ensuing free kick and sunk it into the net. However, after a review, Yoshida was found to be offside and the goal was disallowed. Seattle had plenty of chances after this close tie, but failed to capitalize on any of them. The Galaxy finally scored their goal in the 83rd minute. Joseph Paintsil played the ball inside from the left to Riqui Puig, who played a remarkable curler that split the defense and immediately took out four players, including both center backs and the two more defensive midfielders, to find Gabriel Pec, who ran from the space between defense and midfield into the gap between Yeimar and Jon Bell before firing the ball over Andrew Thomas and into the net to make it 3-1.
That would be the outcome and the Sounders would advance to the round of 16, where they will host the Pumas at Lumen Field on Monday, August 12.
Key moments
4 – GOAL! Albert Rusnák sends a great corner and Yeimar rises and heads the ball in hopes of giving the Sounders an early lead! 1-0 to the Sounders
A dream start to this @LeaguesCup Game in the round of 16 🤩 pic.twitter.com/RHkBvFkRKh
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) 9 August 2024
7 – GOAL! Jackson Ragen makes it 2-0! Jordan Morris scores from another corner by Rusnák and John McCarthy saves, but the rebound falls to Ragen, who hits the crossbar. 2-0 for the Sounders
Make it TWO standard situations tonight 💥 pic.twitter.com/PHhe9ebCKm
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) 9 August 2024
14 – After a long period of possession in Seattle’s half, the Galaxy had their first real chance, but Gabriel Pec’s header went well over the bar.
25 – Obed Vargas gets into a great position after a pass between two defenders, but his shot is blocked and the Galaxy are able to clear.
30 – Morris finds Alex Roldan after a clever little move into the box, but Roldan’s final shot is blocked and there is a corner.
35 – Once again two really good chances for Seattle, but McCarthy saves Alex Roldan’s shot and Morris’ follow-up is blocked.
45+4 – GOAL! Alex Roldan, take a bow. In the middle of the first half, Roldan receives the pass from his brother, takes the ball and curls his shot into the far net to end the half. 3-0
68 – Cristian Roldan makes a great move, picking up a loose ball in midfield and running it down before whipping a dangerous cross behind the defence which narrowly misses Morris and goes in behind Rothrock.
69 – McCarthy saves Rusnák with a brilliant save after Vargas found him with a great pass into an open space.
76′ – Rusnák bursts into the box from midfield and passes the ball to Morris, whose shot cannot get far enough past the goalkeeper.
83 – Goal, Galaxy. Gabriel Pec finishes a pass from Riqui Puig that takes out four players as Pec disappears behind Josh Atencio and runs past Yeimar and Jon Bell before firing the ball over Thomas. 3-1 Sounders
The Galaxy is still alive!
A precise pass from Riqui Puig prepares Gabriel Pec to @LAGalaxy on the board 🍿
Watch the finale on Apple TV: https://t.co/mA9XGDnjWC pic.twitter.com/5YmZa32urW
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) 9 August 2024
86′ – Morris gets behind the defence and has the chance to either shoot at goal or play to Cristian Roldan on his right. He tries to find Roldan but a defender slides in and shoots the ball wide for a corner.
Short thoughts
Resilience returns: The concerns raised here after the Necaxa game about the team’s fragility – fueled in part by the loss to LAFC – remain valid, but Seattle’s ability to bounce back with a pretty impressive win over an LA Galaxy team with plenty of firepower shows that the stamina and resilience they showed earlier in the summer haven’t completely dried up under the hot August sun. The turnaround in results notably came about through much improved performances from some of the established core players who struggled against Necaxa, particularly in the back line where Jackson Ragen, Alex Roldan and Yeimar all got on the scoresheet, along with a stronger defensive performance. It’s not perfect, there’s clearly still room for improvement, but it’s good to know that the Sounders aren’t ready to give up on themselves.
Why not win?: The Sounders have a game against the Pumas in the Leagues Cup Round of 16, meaning they are potentially three wins away from the tournament finals and a chance at a new trophy. If they win, a fourth game will likely await LAFC, but the tournament seeding gives Seattle a friendly path as hosts. No one is looking beyond the Pumas game, but a little dreaming doesn’t hurt. We’ve come this far, we might as well go on and win the damn thing. Anything can happen in a knockout tournament, so why not?
Frustrating and efficient: Admittedly, it’s a little weird to be frustrated or upset after a win in which the team scored three goals that you can’t go any further. It’s fun to have three “defenders” – I say “defenders” because Alex Roldan is part of the back line as a right back, but in the Sounders’ system “defender” is a pretty incomplete description of his role – scoring goals, and it’s great to get a few set pieces and a golazo. The anger or frustration comes from the team’s front four not scoring goals. They’ve created plenty of chances and got into good positions, and Rusnák and Cristian Roldan are both being rewarded with assists, but if the Sounders really want to consistently compete with the top teams in the region, let alone the league or the West, they’ll need to get Jordan Morris and the rest of the attack back into shape.
Remarkable quote
Brian Schmetzer on the Sounders’ start to the game: “I can only repeat the words of my long-time opponent: ‘My boys were ready to play.’ Before the game, we talked about the fact that it was the Leagues Cup. But that also had a second meaning: This is a well-trained Galaxy team.”
Players in the spotlight
Albert Rusnák – Rusnák only gets credit for one assist tonight, but his set pieces were key to the Sounders’ first two goals. He created six chances, completed two of two dribble attempts and caused plenty of problems for the Galaxy defense.
