Seattle snaps skid vs. Galaxy with 2-0 victory
SEATTLE (AP) - Eddie Johnson scored for the second straight game, directing home a header just before halftime, Fredy Montero scored his first goal of the season on a 35-yard strike early in the second half, and the Seattle Sounders finally got the best of Los Angeles with a 2-0 win over the Galaxy on Wednesday night.
Johnson's goal in the 40th minute capped a half of missed chances for Seattle and came off a long cross from Mauro Rosales. It snapped a long scoreless skid for Seattle at home against the Galaxy and led to the Sounders' first win over Los Angeles in MLS play since 2009.
Montero's goal was a stunning strike from distance in the 48th minute. Given space in the midfield, Montero drive found the opposite upper corner out of the reach of Los Angeles goalkeeper Bill Gaudette.
Los Angeles was playing without star midfielder David Beckham, striker Robbie Keane and goalkeeper Josh Saunders, all of whom stayed back in Los Angeles. Both the Galaxy and Sounders are playing three games this week.
Even though the Galaxy decided to rest some of their stars and fall six points back of Seattle early in the season, the Sounders put out nearly all of their regular starting 11 and finally began to get the kind of impact they hoped from the Johnson-Montero combo up front.
Including the 2010 MLS playoffs, the Sounders were winless in their previous six matches against Los Angeles. Including those playoffs, Seattle went 378 minutes between goals at home against the Galaxy before Johnson found the back of the net.
Seattle traded away two young prospects in order to acquiring the rights to Johnson before the season began. His Seattle introduction was slowed by a hamstring injury but he followed up his first goal of the season last Saturday in Chicago with another strong performance against the Galaxy.
Johnson's goal capped a half where all the good chances came from the Sounders. Johnson's right-footed shot from inside the penalty area in the 10th minute was kicked away by the right-foot of Gaudette. About 10 minutes later, Montero had a point-blank look at an open goal, only to see his rebound attempt of Johnson's shot deflect off Gaudette's leg and bounce away.
Montero finally got his first mark of the season and there was little luck involved. His speculative attempt was perfectly placed in the far upper corner and snapped a scoreless string that dated back to last October against San Jose.
Starting Seattle goalkeeper Michael Gspurning aggravated a sore right hip and was replaced at halftime by Bryan Meredith in net. Gspurning had a quiet first half and the Galaxy's first real shot on net didn't come until the 62nd minute when Landon Donovan sent his left-footed shot directly into the stomach of Meredith.
Initially, Wednesday night was to be an audition of sorts for Beckham as he continues his quest to be one of three players over the age of 23 added to Great Britain's roster for the London Olympics later this summer. Last week, Great Britain coach Stuart Pearce indicated he would travel to Seattle to see Beckham play in person.
But Beckham remained home in Los Angeles with the Galaxy having played Dallas last weekend and Beckham playing 90 minutes. The Galaxy host New York on Saturday and the plan of giving Beckham the Wednesday off falls in line with how the Galaxy handled three-game weeks last season.
Johnson's goal in the 40th minute capped a half of missed chances for Seattle and came off a long cross from Mauro Rosales. It snapped a long scoreless skid for Seattle at home against the Galaxy and led to the Sounders' first win over Los Angeles in MLS play since 2009.
Montero's goal was a stunning strike from distance in the 48th minute. Given space in the midfield, Montero drive found the opposite upper corner out of the reach of Los Angeles goalkeeper Bill Gaudette.
Los Angeles was playing without star midfielder David Beckham, striker Robbie Keane and goalkeeper Josh Saunders, all of whom stayed back in Los Angeles. Both the Galaxy and Sounders are playing three games this week.
Even though the Galaxy decided to rest some of their stars and fall six points back of Seattle early in the season, the Sounders put out nearly all of their regular starting 11 and finally began to get the kind of impact they hoped from the Johnson-Montero combo up front.
Including the 2010 MLS playoffs, the Sounders were winless in their previous six matches against Los Angeles. Including those playoffs, Seattle went 378 minutes between goals at home against the Galaxy before Johnson found the back of the net.
Seattle traded away two young prospects in order to acquiring the rights to Johnson before the season began. His Seattle introduction was slowed by a hamstring injury but he followed up his first goal of the season last Saturday in Chicago with another strong performance against the Galaxy.
Johnson's goal capped a half where all the good chances came from the Sounders. Johnson's right-footed shot from inside the penalty area in the 10th minute was kicked away by the right-foot of Gaudette. About 10 minutes later, Montero had a point-blank look at an open goal, only to see his rebound attempt of Johnson's shot deflect off Gaudette's leg and bounce away.
Montero finally got his first mark of the season and there was little luck involved. His speculative attempt was perfectly placed in the far upper corner and snapped a scoreless string that dated back to last October against San Jose.
Starting Seattle goalkeeper Michael Gspurning aggravated a sore right hip and was replaced at halftime by Bryan Meredith in net. Gspurning had a quiet first half and the Galaxy's first real shot on net didn't come until the 62nd minute when Landon Donovan sent his left-footed shot directly into the stomach of Meredith.
Initially, Wednesday night was to be an audition of sorts for Beckham as he continues his quest to be one of three players over the age of 23 added to Great Britain's roster for the London Olympics later this summer. Last week, Great Britain coach Stuart Pearce indicated he would travel to Seattle to see Beckham play in person.
But Beckham remained home in Los Angeles with the Galaxy having played Dallas last weekend and Beckham playing 90 minutes. The Galaxy host New York on Saturday and the plan of giving Beckham the Wednesday off falls in line with how the Galaxy handled three-game weeks last season.
