MLS Playoffs: 6 Reasons Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy is Good for MLS
Oct 25, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Stefan Ishizaki (24) and Seattle Sounders FC defender Leo Gonzalez (12) fight for the ball during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Los Angeles 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
5. Familiarity Breeds Contempt
It’s true. Playing one team many times over builds a natural hatred between the two teams. And hatred is the number one component of a rivalry. It’s why in baseball and football, teams’ biggest rivals are usually teams that are in their division or teams who meet often in the postseason. It’s why in say the Stanley Cup, the two sides are borderline friendly to each other in game one but want to slit throats by game seven.
More from Los Angeles Galaxy
- Mexican star becomes the highest paid player in the MLS
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic sends shots at Carlos Vela in the MLS
- LA Galaxy: Ibrahimovic’s flair for the dramatic still present in MLS
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic exits Manchester United and heads to LA Galaxy
- The curious case of Steven Gerrard in MLS
Seattle and LA are plenty familiar. Not only are they Western Conference foes, but both sides fought for the #1 spot in the West all season, LA eventually erasing a 10 point deficit and taking first for a short while. These two were battling indirectly for most of the season, leading to some ill will. But things really took off when they met face to face. LA embarrassed Seattle in Seattle over the summer, notching 3 goals while allowing none. Then, only a few short weeks ago, the two met in a home-and-home season finale, playing each other twice in the last two games of the season. It was a battle for first, but also a battle for MLS. The old guard vs. the 6 year old franchise. And now they get to play two MORE times???? Yes, please.