LA Galaxy put a damper on the Seattle Sounders FC in its final home match before the World Cup break. Galaxy’s striker Matheus Nascimento (9) scored a goal in the 91st minute of the match. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
SEATTLE — It was a tough outing for Seattle Sounders FC, who dropped its final match at Lumen Field before the World Cup break over the LA Galaxy 2-0 on Saturday.
From the jump, the Sounders struggled creating plays on the field and allowed the Galaxy to outperform them with goals by right wing Gabriel Pec in the 22nd minute and striker Matheus Nascimento in the 91st minute.
Similar to the Sounders 3-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes this past Wednesday, the game-winning goal was a result of a player coming off the bench. For the Galaxy, Nascimento entered the match and scored in the 82nd minute to put the final dagger in the Sounders hope of getting any points. Additionally, Nascimento received the pass from Pec, who collected the assist in addition to his early goal.
Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer explained he had to give credit where it is due to the Galaxy organization, who were the class of the field.
“They pretty much drew that out how they want it. Take some sting out of the game and find some possession. They have three quality guys up front, and one mistake made us pay,” Schmetzer explained during the post-match press conference.
“I’m sure Greg (Vanney, Galaxy head coach) is extremely happy. He should be. It’s a big win for them.”
LA Galaxy right wing Gabriel Pec (11) with the goal on the 22nd minute in Saturday’s victory over the Sounders. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
Five minutes into the first half, Sounders striker Danny Musovski took a hit in the goal box that required medical attention with him notifying the referee that he lost a tooth.
Musovski would be walked off the pitch and did not return, as central midfielder Albert Rusnák, who scored a goal in Wednesday’s 3-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes, took over.
Schmetzer said Musovski did indeed lose a tooth, but also confirmed that he is being evaluated for a concussion.
Sounders FC striker Danny Musovski (19) had his Saturday afternoon come to a close after losing a tooth and was evaluated for a concussion. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
The incident ended up changing the complexity of the match as he felt putting Rusnák, when he might not have been ready, was a series of mistakes he felt were made that allowed the Galaxy to capitalize.
Consequently, as soon as Pec scored the goal for the Galaxy in the first half, his third straight match with at least a goal, momentum swung in their favor.
Therefore, Schmetzer held himself accountable in Saturday’s loss and felt that the Galaxy deserved the victory. He felt that the Galaxy looked fresh all game, which is something the Sounders must improve upon when dealing with a team that looks ready to go.
“It was a pretty violent challenge, but he was 16-yards out of the box, and he can’t get it between his legs or he can’t find the back of the net,” said Schmetzer. “1-0 changes a game. We talk about scoring a goal against this team, but they’re thinking about their flight in LA.
“Instead, they get the first goal and they’re all of a sudden full of confidence. I just don’t think we found our rhythm after that and that’s on me.
“Our team kind of struggles sometimes when we run up against teams where the game goes like this. We rush and we don’t establish possessions, we use the ball and we defend. And then we win the ball back, someone has a solid touch, and we got to chase again.
“We’re not in a good possession shape with our team, so we can’t counter press. Which is what happened tonight and that gave the Galaxy life, and we had to chase the game. I think that has something to do with them looking a little fresher.”
Seattle Sounders FC head coach Brian Schmetzer during the second half match where his team fell 2-0 at Lumen Field. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
Saturday’s upset improved the Galaxy to 5-5-4 and they now have 19 points while the Sounders remain at 24 points but drop to a record of 7-2-3. Galaxy moved from 11th to ninth in the MLS Western Conference standings while the Sounders dropped to fourth.
The Sounders have one more match before the World Cup break as they will head to BMO Stadium in Los Angeles to face the LAFC Sunday, May 24 (9:00 p.m. ET on Apple TV and FOX). The Sounders will not have its next home match in Seattle until Thursday, July 16 (10:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV).
