The LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders will battle it out in a home-and-home over the next two weeks to determine which team takes home this year's Supporters' Shield and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. It all starts with this Sunday's nationally televised match at StubHub Center (8 pm ET, ESPN2).
This week MLSsoccer.com's editors will take a look at the positional battles that will ultimately decide the outcome of both games. On Friday, we focus on the two teams' benches.
Monday: Penedo gives the Galaxy the goalkeeping edge
Tuesday: LA's strong backline clearly better than Seattle's
Wednesday: Seattle has the potential to edge LA in midfield
Thursday: Both teams boast immense firepower up front
Team |
<strong>Analysis</strong> |
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<p>The LA Galaxy have gotten a good dose of that Goonie magic from midseason acquisition <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/alan-gordon" target="_top">Alan Gordon</a>, and with a close-to-full complement of players joining him on the bench, Bruce Arena can feel good about almost any option. The Galaxy have shown they don't miss a beat when <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/baggio-husidic" target="_blank">Baggio Husidic</a> comes in to play in the midfield, while <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/tommy-meyer" target="_blank">Tommy Meyer</a> provides a playoff-tested, young centerback option. It's a tough call, but LA's seemingly seamless play no matter who's on the field gives them the edge here.</p> |
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<p>Though the Martins-Dempsey partnership steals the show, the Sounders wouldn’t be where they are this year without vital contributions from <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kenny-cooper" target="_blank">Kenny Cooper</a> and <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/chad-barrett" target="_blank">Chad Barrett</a> in reserve. Behind them, <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/andy-rose" target="_blank">Andy Rose</a> has proved to be an effective option off the bench in midfield. It’s the defense where things start to get a little iffy as far as Seattle’s depth is concerned. <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/djimi-traore" target="_blank">Djimi Traore</a> provides a veteran face, but has only come off the bench once this year, while one of <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/zach-scott" target="_blank">Zach Scott</a> (another veteran face) or <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/jalil-anibaba" target="_blank">Jalil Anibaba</a>, with his athleticism and versatility, will likely serve as a second defensive option from the bench with the other starting.</p> |
<h2 class="rtecenter">
Edge</h2> |
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