Seattle Sounders 2 Chivas USA 1
The most important thing to know about this match: if the playoffs began today the Galaxy would play MLS’ hottest team – the Seattle Sounders – in the first round.
Check out the playoff standings.
But then, Chivas USA still have to play the San Jose Earthquakes in midweek.
Both of Seattle’s superbly taken goals spoke volumes about their sky-high confidence – and everything about the basics of Chivas USA’s failings all season long.
Both came after Chivas USA gave the ball away in their own half.
Steve Zakuani’s first was individual brilliance, the Sounders second a symphony of teamwork that began and ended with the ever-improving Osvaldo Alonso (seen here celebrating with the prolific Blaise Nkufo, a shrewd post-World Cup pick-up by Coach Sigi Schmid).
The game was essentially over by half time; Chivas USA pulled one back in second half stoppage time, but before that never came close, looking busy to no great effect.
Here’s the Seattle perspective.
The goals are well worth watching:
Chivas USA lineup: Zach Thornton, Mariano Trujillo, Michael Umana, Ante Jazic, Jonathan Bornstein, Rodolfo Espinoza, Michael Lahoud, Paulo Nagamura, Jorge Flores, Jesus Padilla, Giancarlo Maldonado (Sal Zizzo 76)
