MLS Playoffs: Key Player in Seattle Sounders-Los Angeles Galaxy Series
The MLS Playoffs are coming to an end with just two games left in the postseason. We know that the New England Revolution have advanced to MLS Cup final and will play the winner of Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles Galaxy. That series wraps up tomorrow night with kickoff scheduled for 9:20 EST and can be seen on ESPN.
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I wanted to take a look at who will the two impact players for both teams in the Galaxy-Sounders series. I have written in the past about how Marco Pappa and Stefan Frei would be the keys for the Sounders to have success in this series. I still believe that those two are huge keys to success but I also felt that I have left out one other key contributor. I honestly don’t know how I missed it. He has been vital for the Sounders since 2009 and it showed how much off a difference it makes when he is not on the pitch in the Sounders last match.
You may know who I am talking about and you may not. Let me help you out.
Nov 10, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Osvaldo Alonso (6) dribbles the ball against the FC Dallas during the first half at CenturyLink Field. The game was a 0-0 draw. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Osvaldo Alonso.
Alonso takes control of the mid-field which then allows Gonzalo Pineda and the other mid-fielders move forward to get in on the attack. Without him on the pitch and controlling the middle, the Sounders just aren’t the same team. It was never more apparent in last week’s match against the Galaxy. Sure the Sounders had their chances and failed to score but they were sparse to say the least.
Alonso injured his hamstring in leg two of the Western Conference semi-finals against FC Dallas and Head Coach Sigi Schmid has been quiet on the status of his designated player. I don’t want to say leg two rest solely on the fact if Alonso plays or not but it almost really does. Yes, the Sounders have tons of talented players all over the pitch at any given time. The team also has one of the deepest rosters in MLS. If the mid-field isn’t able to get forward and assist Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins, then the Sounders will be in for a long, long day.
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I don’t want to take away anything from the Galaxy either. They have star players all over the pitch as well. In the regular season finally against the Sounders, the Galaxy were without Robbie Keane and Omar Gonzalez. On the attacking end it showed how much they missed Keane as the team was unable to convert their many scoring opportunities. Defensively I don’t think the Galaxy missed Gonzalez as much. They may have missed his leadership and experience on the back line.
If Alonso plays, the Sounders will win this match. If he does not, who knows what will happen.
In the end this match will be a great one for fans of both teams as well as fans of MLS.
I wonder what lineup Schmid will come out with. Will they push for the tying goal early or wait and counter the Galaxy?
We shall see. We shall see.