CARSON, Calif.
- Robbie Keane had two goals and an assist as Sounders FC fell, 3-0, to
the LA Galaxy in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship
at the Home Depot Center. The series concludes next Sunday in the second
leg at 6 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.
Keane
put the Galaxy on the board in first half stoppage time. Christian
Wilhelmsson back-heeled a ball to Landon Donovan making a run in the box
and Donovan cut a short cross near the end line that found the head of
Keane for a strong header past Gspurning.
It
was the first goal surrendered by Gspurning after the Austrian keeper
had kept a 225-minute shutout streak to start the playoffs.
The
Galaxy doubled their lead in the 64th minute when Keane fed a wide open
Sean Franklin up the right side, and the defender crossed to Mike Magee
who put it away for his third goal of the postseason.
Just
three minutes later, a Donovan shot was deflected to Wilhelmsson in the
box, and after Gspurning blocked the initial attempt Keane chased it
down and tapped it in.
It was the fourth goal of the playoffs for Keane and his second straight brace.
Seattle
was outshot 13-7 and 7-4 on goal. In the 31st minute, Osvaldo Alonso
got an open shot from 25-yards out and in the 50th minute Brad Evans
rose above the defense for a strong header on a corner kick from Mario
Martinez, but Galaxy keeper Josh Saunders made both saves.
In
the 57th minute, Alex Caskey cleared a dangerous ball from Donovan in
front of the goal intended for Wilhelmsson. In the 71st minute,
Gspurning dived to punch away a Marcelo Sarvas shot, and Jeff Parke slid
to clear a ball off the line after Donovan's shot got past the keeper
in the 76th minute.
Tickets to the second leg of the Western Conference Championship next Sunday are available through SoundersFC.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
Scoring Summary:
LA - Robbie Keane (Landon Donovan) 45+1'
LA - Mike Magee (Sean Franklin, Robbie Keane) 64'
LA - Robbie Keane 67'
Seattle Sounders FC - Michael
Gspurning, Adam Johansson, Jeff Parke, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Zach
Scott, Mario Martinez, Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Alex Caskey (Steve
Zakuani 73), Christian Tiffert (Andy Rose 73), Fredy Montero (Eddie
Johnson 65).
Substitutes Not Used: Marcus Hahnemann, Servando Carrasco, David Estrada, Sammy Ochoa.
TOTAL SHOTS: 7; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 7; OFFSIDE: 2; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 3.
LA Galaxy - Josh
Saunders, Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Tommy Meyer, Todd Dunivant,
Christian Wilhelmsson (Michael Stephens 77), Juninho (Marcelo Sarvas
46), David Beckham, Mike Magee, Landon Donovan (Jose Villarreal 84),
Robbie Keane.
Substitutes Not Used: Brian Perk, Andew Boyens, Jack McBean, Bryan Gaul.
TOTAL SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDE: 5; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 7.
Substitutes Not Used: Brian Perk, Andew Boyens, Jack McBean, Bryan Gaul.
TOTAL SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDE: 5; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 7.
Misconduct Summary:
SEA - Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (caution) 15'
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Referee's Assistants: Frank Anderson, Corey E. Rockwell
4th Official: Sorin Stoica
Attendance: 27,000
Time of Game: 1:53
Weather: Clear and 59 degrees
