Played
November 18, 2012 9:00 PM EST
CenturyLink Field (Seattle, Washington)
Referee: M. Geiger
November 18, 2012 9:00 PM EST
CenturyLink Field (Seattle, Washington)
Referee: M. Geiger
Seattle Sounders FC 2-1 Los Angeles Galaxy: Galaxy set up MLS Cup rematch
The Los Angeles Galaxy did just enough to set up a rematch of last year's MLS Cup final with Houston.
By Allen Ramsey
Otto Greule Jr
The 2012 MLS Cup final is set, and it will look very similar to the 2011 MLS Cup after the Los Angeles Galaxy did enough to slip past the Seattle Sounders on Sunday night despite a 2-1 loss.
From the start it looked as though the Galaxy would be in for a long night. Carrying a 3-0 advantage on aggregate coming into the game, Bruce Arena's side was immediately put on the defensive by a Seattle outfit that was backed by another massive home crowd.
Just 11 minutes into the game Seattle fired a warning shot. Eddie Johnson knocked home a goal from close range only to see it waived off by a very questionable offside decision.
Johnson was not to be denied and just a minute later got his team on the board after holding off a challenge from Omar Gonzalez and hitting a lovely finish to the near post.
The pressure continued for much of the first half, but the home team would half to settle for just the one goal before the break.
Not much seemed to change after the interval however, and Seattle was quickly within striking distance of getting back level in the tie.
Zach Scott's brilliantly taken header from a corner made it 2-0 on the night, and the Galaxy lead in the conference final was suddenly down to just one goal.
Despite the momentum swinging in favor of the Sounders, one mistake would put matters to bed in favor of the Galaxy.
Adam Johansson had a ball strike his hand in the box and Mark Geiger awarded Los Angeles a penalty that Robbie Keane coolly converted, making it 2-1 for the Sounders on the night, but more importantly giving the Galaxy a two-goal cushion on aggregate with just over 20 minutes to play.
Seattle's late push for more goals came up short and a rematch of the 2011 MLS Cup final was set, with the Galaxy scheduled to host the match against Houston.
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From the start it looked as though the Galaxy would be in for a long night. Carrying a 3-0 advantage on aggregate coming into the game, Bruce Arena's side was immediately put on the defensive by a Seattle outfit that was backed by another massive home crowd.
Just 11 minutes into the game Seattle fired a warning shot. Eddie Johnson knocked home a goal from close range only to see it waived off by a very questionable offside decision.
Johnson was not to be denied and just a minute later got his team on the board after holding off a challenge from Omar Gonzalez and hitting a lovely finish to the near post.
The pressure continued for much of the first half, but the home team would half to settle for just the one goal before the break.
Not much seemed to change after the interval however, and Seattle was quickly within striking distance of getting back level in the tie.
Zach Scott's brilliantly taken header from a corner made it 2-0 on the night, and the Galaxy lead in the conference final was suddenly down to just one goal.
Despite the momentum swinging in favor of the Sounders, one mistake would put matters to bed in favor of the Galaxy.
Adam Johansson had a ball strike his hand in the box and Mark Geiger awarded Los Angeles a penalty that Robbie Keane coolly converted, making it 2-1 for the Sounders on the night, but more importantly giving the Galaxy a two-goal cushion on aggregate with just over 20 minutes to play.
Seattle's late push for more goals came up short and a rematch of the 2011 MLS Cup final was set, with the Galaxy scheduled to host the match against Houston.
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jack McInerney Striker Philadelphia Union |
7 | 0 |
|
Mike Magee Midfielder LA Galaxy |
6 | 1 |
|
Claudio Bieler Striker Sporting KC |
6 | 1 |
|
Marco Di Vaio Striker Montreal Impact |
6 | 0 |
|
Robert Earnshaw Striker Toronto FC |
5 | 2 |
