Final thoughts
It wasn’t a great game, but in the end it was Sigi Schmid who made the decisive move in bringing on Marco Pappa, to give Seattle the win, the Shield and, you’d imagine, the psychological advantage for the playoffs.
It certainly gives Seattle the home advantage if they were to make it to MLS Cup, as they aim for an unprecedented three trophy season after adding their first ever Supporters Shield to the Open Cup. This should put the memories of last year’s collapse to bed.
A quiet regular season departure for Landon Donovan, though had Alan Gordon touched home his cross late on, we could have had at least a couple of awkward minutes at the end of the game. It wasn’t to be though, and the Galaxy have to regroup, hopefully with Robbie Keane back in the fold sooner rather than later.
With Dallas and RSL still potentially exchanging places after tonight’s games, not to mention Vancouver and Portland battling for the final playoff spot, neither side knows yet who they’ll be facing in the playoffs, but Seattle will be the team who go into those playoffs with much more momentum. The Galaxy looked tentative until it was too late, and without key personnel never really had the movement up front to trouble the Sounders.
We’ll have full coverage of the playoffs as well as a round up of this weekend’s final regular season weekend when we return on Monday morning. For now, thanks for joining me and good bye.
Final Score: Seattle 2-0 LA Galaxy
SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN THE 2014 SUPPORTERS SHIELD!
Final thoughts in a minute...
GOAL! SEATTLE 2-0 LA (PAPPA!)
So cheeky!. Penedo tries to bring the ball out and is robbed by Pappa, who has Martins free on his right. He doesn’t need him though, as he scoops the deftest of little chips over the scrambling keeper to seal the game and the Shield!
90 mins +4
So we’ll have more than the specified three minutes after that injury, but it probably won’t make a difference now. Leonardo fouls Dempsey just outside the box and Pappa clatters his free kick off the wall. The ball is right where Seattle want it though. Traore to come on for Dempsey now as Sigi Schmid runs down the clock.
90 mins+2
NO THAT WAS LA’S CHANCE! Frei collides with Marshall as he punches the free kick clear, and with the prone defender playing every LA man onside, the ball is worked into the box for Gordon, in Pappa-like space, but he can only drive his shot straight at Frei.
More worryingly for Seattle, Marshall is down receiving extended treatment after that collision. He’s on his feet but looking groggy. He’s had concussion issues before...
90 mins
THAT WAS LA’S CHANCE... Beautiful cross from deep by Donovan almost picks out Gordon at the back post, but he just can’t get round the ball in time to touch the ball home.
LA will have another free kick now, in their own half, as Dempsey fouls, then kicks the ball away. We’ll have three minutes added on.
88 mins
So LA now need two in the last few minutes to take the Shield, while Martins 13th assist of the season looks to have given Seattle their first ever Supporters Shield in the manner they’d have wanted — a win in front of their home fans. And what price that MArtins contribution in the MVP race?
Seattle in possession with Pappa again — even without the goal he’s been a difference maker in his cameo. His cross is headed clear for a throw as LA throw on Jose Villareal for Gargan. Surely too late to make a difference.
GOAL! SEATTLE 1-0 LA GALAXY (PAPPA!)
Supporters Shield! Sarvas caught on the ground, fouls. Seattle take it quickly and Dempsey in turn is fouled, but on the advantage Martins picks out a perfect ball across the box along the ground, to pick out the overlapping Pappa in acres of space. He drives the ball firmly into the corner.
84 mins
Seattle fans trying to roar their team home now as the Sounders have a corner. Pineda picks up the first clearance and earns another corner as his cross is deflected. Pappa’s corner booted clear by Juninho, but LA still have to defend. Pappa gets the ball again and coolly puts his foot on the ball before forcing a throw to waste time.
82 mins
Donovan floats the free kick in, Marshall heads it, but only off the back of another players head, and Frei has to dive for a save that was possibly needlessly spectacular in the end. Seattle 0-0 LA and now Alan Gordon is going to come into the game for the visitors, replacing Husidic. He’s a man known for late goals. Can he find one here?
It’s Donovan who’s closest next as he touches the ball just too far ahead of himself while making space, and sees it run through to Frei.
80 mins
Pappa hauls down Donovan at the corner of the box, with Donovan not really going anywhere. Now that’s a dangerous free kick. Donovan over it...
78 mins
Noticeable increase in tempo now. Scott hauls down Donovan in the center circle as his man beats him, but doesn’t get a second yellow.
LA pressing, but in a physical series of exchanges Alonso and Martins force the ball clear.
76 mins
So we’re edging into the last 15 minutes, and it’ll be interesting to see what the referee adds on for the various little stoppages we’ve had.
Dempsey holds the ball up on the edge of the Galaxy box, touches it back for Pappa, whose low drive deflects off Ishizaki for a Seattle corner and a subsequent rise in volume in the stadium.
Corner flashes across the Galaxy goal, but Marshall can’t get a decisive touch and LA will have a goal kick now.
74 mins
Rogers and Evans clash down the Seattle flank, and that’s Evans last contribution as he comes out for Marco Pappa. A positive substitution to give LA something to think about.
LA work a cross from Rogers and Donovan is heading to the near post to meet it when Scott nips in to head it out for a corner. Again Seattle clear it, and now they’re trying to break through Pappa. It doesn’t work out, but Pappa can punish the Galaxy if they commit men in the closing stages.
72 mins
Fight! Fight! Fight! Dempsey and Leonardo collide in the middle of the Seattle half and suddenly Pineda and Sarvas are in a shoving match that quickly escalates into a team wide “discussion” that involves some vigorous contributions from Alonso. Referee books Pineda and Sarvas in the end and seems to do well to keep the fallout to a minimum for now.
70 mins
Gargan wide right with space for the cross, which floats towards the penalty spot, where Husidic is crowded out. LA moving forward more now, and Zardes picks up the ball with his back to goal at distance, turns and drives a firm shot low past Frei’s left post. A few more signs of urgency from the Galaxy. Still Seattle 0-0 LA and still Seattle’s Supporters Shield as it stands.
68 mins
Multiple golazos in an amazing sixty second spell . More messy fouling and barging.
66 mins
Sarvas comes clear of a midfield challenge to push the ball into space for Husidic, but with the break on, the Galaxy elect to hold possession rather than try to force the issue, then lose the ball seconds later as Sarvas fails to keep it in by the touchline.
64 mins
Corner taken short to work the angle for Sarvas, but Marshall heads his ball into the box clear. No set piece joy yet for LA, but they’ll have another look from a free kick near the corner flag as Evans and Rogers clash. Rogers jumps to his feet and shoves Evans, but the referee is quickly on the scene to defuse things and as it turns out LA waste this free kick too.
Gonzalez sends a teasing diagonal ball over the top for Martins but it’s just too hard for the Sounders striker to keep in play.
62 mins
As yet LA haven’t shown the sophistication to break Seattle down, and could perhaps do with slightly quicker approach play.
Zardes goes on a run at the heart of the Sounders defense and touches the ball wide for Ishizaki, who holds the ball up and eventually earns the corner...
60 mins
The corner was deep and high then headed back awkwardly across the Galaxy goal. LA relieved to force the ball clear as the hour comes up with the score still Seattle 0-0 LA.
58 mins
First glimpse of Seattle’s speed in attack as Martins cuts inside then flicks a ball into the path of Dempsey’s diagonal run. It’s also into the path of Penedo’s charge out of the Galaxy goal though and LA regain possession.
Seattle attack again though and after some Dempsey persistence gets the ball into the box, Gargan has to hook the ball out for a corner...
56 mins
Sarvas puts his head up then sprays the ball wide in the manner of someone who hadn’t put his head up. Throw to Seattle.
Donovan hooks the ball over his head for Ishizaki on the overlap, and for a second there’s space for LA before Gargan’s cross loops tamely to Frei.
54 mins
Another Galaxy foul in midfield and LA regroup behind the ball (they really don’t like the thought of quick Seattle counters, do they?).
LA come forward and Ishizaki reads the bounce off the turf well to keep possession as the Galaxy probe for an opening. In the end Sarvas struggles with Neagle in the box and is penalized for a Sounders free kick.
52 mins
Donovan picks the ball up in a dangerous spot and sets off, trailing three Sounders men. Scott eventually brings him down just outside the box, and is booked. More worryingly, they’ve conceded the free kick in prime range.
Ishizaki’s free kick catches the wall and drops just over the bar for a corner, which is delayed for the referee to talk to a couple of players about holding in the box. Wasn’t really worth the wait in the end, as Ishizaki fails to clear the first man (Alonso) with his corner.
50 mins
Evans advances down the right to be the man over at the corner of the box as Pinedea pushes the ball wide to him. He gets a shot off, but it’s from an ambitious spot, and he’s off balance and the ball flies harmlessly wide and high.
At the other end LA have another chance for a long throw into the box from Gargan, but Alonso heads it clear before Zardes can get close to it. Pineda tries to break quickly but is brought down by Juninho before he can get out of his half.
48 mins
Straight away Scott fouls Zardes wide right and the Galaxy have a free kick for Ishizaki to swing in. Martins gets a foot to it and it loops behind him for a corner, though in truth that could have gone anywhere.
Ishizaki trots across to take it, and Alonso heads, then boots, the ball clear to avert the early danger. The Galaxy scored early in the second half last week, remember, but the Sounders negotiate the early minutes of this half safely enough.
Start of Second Half: Seattle Sounders 0-0 LA Galaxy
Peep! We’re off again. Seattle kick off after the obligatory huddle to talk about what the Galaxy are wearing...
Half-time thoughts:
So a pretty ugly game so far, in the Seattle rain. Seattle coach Sigi Schmid has just conceded the Galaxy were the better team in the first half, while also bemoaning the number of tactical fouls the visitors committed any time the Sounders looked to be building possession.
He has a point, though his team were no angels in adding to the total of 20 first half fouls. Compare that to one shot on goal — Marcelo Savas’s stinging drive late in the half — and you have a fair idea of how this has been so far.
The Galaxy look better going forward, but really miss the possibility of stretching the defense that Robbie Keane offers. Without him, Gyassi Zardes has been closed down pretty easily and generally Donovan hasn’t had much room to run at the Sounders.
So it’s still advantage Seattle going into the second half — though you’d like to think that if they are to take the Shield they might want to do so in a little more style than a goalless draw.
OK, I’ll be back in a few...
Updated
Half time: Seattle 0-0 LA Galaxy
Half time thoughts in a minute...
45 mins+2
The Galaxy end the half on the front foot but Juninho eventually loses his footing as he tries to find his way through on the edge of the box. And that’ll be that for the half.
45 mins +1
Finally a shot on goal as LA work a free kick to Sarvas outside the box, who drives the ball high. It’s straight at Frei, but awkward and he takes two touches to gather the stinging shot.
44 mins
Ishizaki almost gets himself in trouble trying to shield the ball out inside his own box, as Neagle almost has him in all sorts of trouble.
And now there’s another chance for LA as Donovan forces the ball past Scott and gets free to the byline at the other end, only to loop his cross tamely into Frei’s hands with Husidic arriving at the back post.
Briefly end-to-end as Frei’s clearance towards the chasing Dempsey has to be hoofed awkwardly clear by Penedo outside his own box. A minute later he has to do so again, even more awkwardly, as Martins almost overtakes Leonardo to be free on goal chasing a Dempsey flick forward.
42 mins
We’re still waiting for our first shot on goal, which tells you most of what you need to know. We’ve had plenty of fouls though. There’s another one — Zardes with another generous interpretation of what a “shoulder charge” is.
40 mins
So half-time approaching, and Seattle fans in full voice, even if they’ve not had much to cheer about yet. Or boo about, in fairness.
Dempsey bursts through and a stretching Lenardo has to poke the ball clear, though Dempsey had already been called back for a foul.
38 mins
Galaxy still sticking to patient build up play but not finding much space to really hurt the Sounders as yet. And now Donovan gets a yellow card for bringing down Pineda, who angrily knocks Donovan’s hand away as he reaches out in apology.
Donovan does the full “Who, me?” face complete with raised shoulders at this strange reaction from someone who’s just had his achilles raked by an opponent’s boot.
36 mins
More barging — Gonzalez on Ishizaki. LA get the ball and build another attack. Now they have a dangerous free kick wide left, level with the box, after a Yedlin hand ball to block a Rogers cross.
Ishizaki sends in an inswinger but it’s straight at Frei and Seattle counter instantly. Rogers has to be alert to slow down Martins so that his intended final ball for Dempsey is shepherded safely to Penedo in the Galaxy goal.
34 mins
Donovan finally gets a chance to run at the Seattle center backs and he slips the ball firmly past them into the path of the overlapping Zardes, but his touch just inside the box takes it too close to Frei. Almost a decent look for the Galaxy there.
32 mins
Seattle looking to have the numbers in midfield without Keane on the field dropping deep to help out. Still very physical in that area of the field, and the two booked players, Gargan and Dempsey battle in the center of the park now. Free kick goes Dempsey’s way.
Rogers volleys the ball clear from the free kick but then concedes another one wide right in a more dangerous position. What can Pineda do with this inswinger?...not much. It’s headed clear, then Leonardo heads Evans’ follow up clear.
30 mins
So half an hour gone and as it stands Seattle’s greater number of wins this season would give them the Supporters Shield. LA have been positive, but haven’t really tested Stefan Frei yet, and it’s still Seattle 0-0 LA.
28 mins
LA build up patiently then suddenly Zardes gets Scott turned down the right and is free to charge towards the box. His low cross is cleared but LA retain possession. Ishizaki goes down the same flank but overruns the ball before he pulls it back into the box and Seattle will have a goal kick.
26 mins
LA press to get the ball back again and force a throw deep in Seattle territory. Gargan hoists it towards Zardes but he’s crowded out comfortably by Marshall and Scott.
24 mins
Fouls coming thick and fast now as Evans kicks Rogers. Game very disjointed at the moment as both teams concentrate on their “I know you are but what am I?” retaliations all over the field.
Brief burst of soccer ends as Dempsey can’t control a through ball. Seattle will get another chance to build though as the advancing Donovan passes the ball away softly.
22 mins
That incident was a rather absurd bit of revenge from Martins who just barged DeLaGarza to the ground while “jostling for position”. referee speaks to him to warn him, but there’s no card.
There is one now though — Rogers gets the corner clear and then in th next sequence Gargan crashes into Neagle and sees yellow. This is...tetchy. It’s also still Seattle 0-0 LA.
20 mins
Neagle causes some problems down the Galaxy right and forces his way into the box, requiring a perfectly timed if very risky tackle from Leonardo to dispossess him.
Seattle looking more positive now, and Yedlin, in space for the first time, forces a corner off the covering Robbie Rogers. Before it can be taken though there’s an incident off the ball to deal with.
18 mins
Neagle does well tracking back to see off pressure from Gargan, whose forays down the right have looked like one of the most likely sources of joy for the Galaxy early on.
DeLaGarza barges hard into the back of Obafemi Martins, who takes the opportunity to lie down with a sad face on. He’ll be sadder that there’s no card.
16 mins
Ooooh, that could have been something... Ishizaki sends a perfect chip over the top that drops for the sprinting Landon Donovan. It’s over his shoulder and he can only touch it to the advancing Frei. Great ball to him.
In the meantime, Dempsey has gone in on DeLaGarza after a clash with Yedlin, and picked up a yellow card for his troubles.
14 mins
Yedlin tries a ball over the top for Martins to chase, but Penedo is always getting to that first.
At the other end a little area of space opens up for Donovan on the edge of the D, but it’s swiftly closed down by Marshall as Donovan shoots. LA keep pressing though and it’s Zardes who next tries his luck from the same area, but he can’t wriggle clear enough to get a shot off.
12 mins
Zardes puts some pressure on Marshall in the box as the Seattle man tries to deal with a routine ball froward from Gargan. Marshall ends up poking the ball out for a corner, that Marshall and Evans look a little awkward in hacking clear. Just a few nerves for the hosts.
10 mins
The Galaxy have had marginally the better of the opening exchanges, without causing Seattle undue problems. They have to defend a free kick just inside their own half now though as Pineda drives one into the box — but it’s headed straight out for Juninho.
The Galaxy transition straight into attack and after a Sarvas shot is blocked, Ishizaki sends in another awkward cross, but Seattle push up and get the offside call as the ball is turned back in. Still Seattle 0-0 LA.
8 mins
Leonardo steps up from defense and barrels his way awkwardly up the middle with a little help from Donovan, but Seattle close ranks to block them out.
And now the Galaxy fashion a half chance as Gargan, in space down the right curls an awkward ball to the back post and forces Yedlin into a clearing header. Good delivery by Gargan.
6 mins
After last week’s physical affair, this has started with some understandable chippiness all over the field and not a lot of clear shape as yet. There’s a little space for Zardes though, as the ball is touched forward to him 30 yards out, but he can’t control and Marshall clears up comfortably.
4 mins
Sarvas gets in on the complaining act as he protests the injustice of a throw-in.
LA try to start a counter-attack but Donovan’s touch is anticipated well by Alonso. The Galaxy still force an attack, but it peters out harmlessly for a goal kick.
Neagle battles with Gargan down Seattle’s left flank, but he’s off-balance and can only poke the ball forward for a Galaxy goal kick.
2 mins
Ball pumped forward but it’s straight to Stefan Frei for an early touch in the Seattle goal.
Yedlin gets his pocket picked by Husidic in the Seattle half and Donovan flicks the ball into the path of Juninho, but his low drive flies wide.
And now some early yapping, as Donovan and Alonso complain about each other.
Peep!
We’re off! LA Galaxy to kick off, on what will be a very fast artificial turf with all the rain that’s falling today. Mark “WORLD CUP REFEREE” Geiger is officiating today.
Nearly Off
We’ve got teams coming out of the tunnel, and there’s a ball knocking around somewhere...
Just the anthem to negotiate and we’ll be underway.
A sense of occasion
Some 60,000 expected at today’s game. It’s the first time in league history the regular season title has been decided by the top two teams playing each other on the final day. Add in the last time Donovan etc etc, the Sounders chance to win their first ever Supporters Shield and of course the knock on effect of top seeding to host MLS Cup in December, and this should be rather fun...
...or at least it will be when it gets under way. In the true infuriating manner of all MLS listings, the listed time of 2.30pm Eastern, is more of a “2.30 for 3pm, pot luck, casual dress” kind of event. People still drifting into the stadium, pre-game interviews going on. Only thing prompt and reliable is the Seattle rain. It’s here.
Updated
Pressure? What pressure?
Clint Dempsey got a goal against this same opposition on the last day of the regular season last year, to end his goalless streak after arriving in the league, and help his team stumble into the playoffs after a notable collapse on the run in. Not that they did much when they got there.
Nobody’s been talking about a similar collapse this year, but the fact is that were the Sounders to lose today, having led by ten points in July, this would be the biggest collapse in league history. So despite earning the advantage last week, there’s some pressure on the Sounders today, beyond the immediate challenge for a second trophy. This trophy...
Oh hello. #SEAvLA pic.twitter.com/k98Kn9mU3d
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) October 25, 2014
Team News
Seattle Sounders: Frei; Yedlin, Marshall, Scott, Gonzalez; Evans, Alonso, Pineda, Neagle; Dempsey, Martins
LA Galaxy: Penedo; Gargan, Leonardo, DeLaGarza, Rogers; Husidic, Juninho, Sarvas, Ishizaki; Zardes, Donovan
So a pretty full strength Seattle team, and a Gonzalez-and-Keane-less Galaxy team. These two could yet have a two-legged MLS Cup conference final to contest, but the Supporters Shield clash is going to be lacking some marquee names.
Meanwhile, Twitter is stirring...
@KidWeil Yedlin should cherish possibly his last chance to play for a trophy before he moves to Spurs and... well... that old chestnut.
— Das Fro (@redbjb) October 25, 2014
MVP
It’s looking increasingly like the MVP battle is coming down to this game. Robbie Keane had looked to have the edge coming into last week, not least for his five game-winning goals and six game-winning assists this year, only for Martins to set up his team’s two goals last week, while Keane, perhaps still tired from his international exertions with Ireland the previous week, was a negligible presence.
Still, anyone who remembers the 2012 playoff series between these two teams knows that Mr Keane has a habit of making decisive interventions at this time of year.
That said, he’ll have a tough job making a similarly decisive intervention today, owing to not being in the 18. As I just found out. “Nagging injury” is the story...
Previously on Sounders Versus Galaxy
If the Galaxy team are looking for encouragement for this afternoon, they need only look at what happened when the two teams met in July — an emphatic 3-0 victory for LA.
Crucially though, that Sounders team was without Chad Marshall, who has been huge at the center of defense for Seattle this season, and had another big game last week. And while Dempsey, Martins, and for slightly different reasons, DeAndre Yedlin have been making the headlines this year, Marshall has also been in the MVP conversation all year and could be decisive this afternoon, as the Sounders go for their second trophy of the year (they already won the US Open Cup). If the Galaxy are going to have a repeat of July’s result, or anything like it, they’ll have to do it the hard way this afternoon.
HISTORIC OCCASION ALERT
This is the last ever regular season game I will be liveblogging that features Landon Donovan.
In honor of the occasion, I have put together a montage of half-speed typing, worryingly blank pages, formatting errors and of course, glorious, glorious typos. And when the editor hauls me out half way through, he’s promised me a fixed grin and the claim that his suggestion I “could have done more with European words” were taken out of context by the person who recorded them and printed them verbatim.
On a marginally more serious note, Donovan’s last regular season game in front of his home crowd was bracketed with the kind of focus on Saint Landon that may have actually eased any pressure on the Sounders, who were able to concentrate on keeping the Galaxy attack quiet. Fortunately for the Galaxy, their midfield chipped in with a couple of goals, but they’ll be hoping there’s a rather more emphatic performance coming from their main attacking threats today.
Preamble
It’s all come down to this...until it’s all come down to the next bit.
Yes, it’s Seattle Sounders v LA Galaxy in a winner-takes-all battle for the MLS Supporters Shield (awarded to the team who top the league at the end of the regular season), and possibly winner takes all in the MVP race between Seattle’s Obafemi Martins and the Galaxy’s Robbie Keane.
And then we’ll go to the playoffs.
A nice shout out to the MLS schedulers for this climax to the regular season. The top two teams in the league, having shared the points in a 2-2 draw in LA last week (in a game the Galaxy led 2-0 just after half time), go into this afternoon’s game in Seattle level on points, but with the hosts knowing their greater numbers of wins this year mean that they’d take the Shield with another draw, as wins, not goal difference, is the first tie breaker.
And to tilt things a little further toward the men in green, the Galaxy will be without their Designated Player defender Omar Gonzalez, who was sent off last week and is suspended. The Sounders will be hoping that that means even more space for Martins and Clint Dempsey to cause problems with their attacking movement, while the Galaxy will be left hoping that their attacking trio of Gyassi Zardes, Keane, and Landon Donovan actually, er, move, after Sounders center back Chad Marshall appeared to sit on them while taking selfies during last week’s game.
I’ll be back with more build up and team news shortly, but in the meantime get your tweets coming in to @KidWeil or email graham.parker@theguardian.com and let’s find out who’s the undisputed number one (seed for the playoffs).
