Seattle had several chances to go ahead, but the LA Galaxy pounced on a mistake to book a ticket to MLS Cup
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The LA Galaxy will play in their first MLS Cup in 10 years after sealing a gutsy late 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference Finals at Dignity Health Sports Park Saturday.
The Sounders dominated proceedings at times, especially early in the second half, but their attack couldn't capitalize. The Galaxy would take advantage of a poor mistake to score the game's only goal. Seattle's Alex Roldan had a giveaway in the 84th minute and the ball seconds later would find LA star Riqui Puig just outside of the box. Despite having three defenders nearby, he lofted a pinpoint pass to Dejan Joveljic who had just one defender to beat in the box. The Serbian striker would easily slot the goal past Stefan Frei to put the Galaxy ahead in the 85th minute.
With things getting chippy in the final moments of the game, Joseph Paintsil almost doubled the home side's lead as he had a solo run with just Frei to beat. Yet the Ghanian couldn't convert. Still, LA was able to hold on to secure a trip to the MLS Cup Final, which they will host next Saturday. The last time they hosted in 2014, they won. Time will time if history repeats itself.
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The last time the Galaxy hosted in 2014, they won the title. It was the final game of Landon Donovan's first stint with the team, the other being a six-game spell in 2016. Robbie Keane also starred for the team.
ImagnTHE MVP
Puig was too ball heavy at times, but he delivered the game's biggest moment as he put the ball on the plate for Joveljić – it would have been hard to miss that attempt. Puig's versatility, being able to shift all around the midfield, and technical quality are hard to match in MLS.
He also had a classy moment at the end of the game when he helped bring out an injured Marco Reus to ensure the German legend lifted the Western Conference trophy with his teammates.
ImagnTHE BIG LOSER
This was match of such fine margins that it was hard to pick a player who struggled, but Albert Rusnák failed to step up in several key moments for Seattle. The Sounders had multiple corners and free kicks which he was tasked with and his accuracy, especially on corners, was puzzling.
He then missed the chance of the night midway through the second half as he was teed up in the box by Jordan Morris and saw his attempt go right into John McCarthy's hands. Had he converted, with the way Seattle's defense played, this would have been a very different contest.
