Edson Buddle long range shot surprised Seatle’s Kasey Keller and gave the Los Angeles Galaxy a 1-0 victory against the Seattle Sounders on Sunday in the first game of Major League Soccer’s Western Conference semifinals. The Galaxy will host the second game in the two-game aggregate-goals series next Sunday.
The Sounders must feel that they are still very much alive in this tie after outshooting the Galaxy 15-10 and forcing Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts to make 8 saves.
“When you weigh the whole game, I thought we created more chances than they did,” Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said. “Donovan came up with a couple big saves in the first half. But in the second half, I think we squandered some chances—that shot that Steve Zakuani had (bounce off left post in the 64th minute) and Jaqua’s chance at the end. If we finish better and Donovan doesn’t have the game he has, we walk off this field 2-1 or 3-1 winners.”
Unlike UEFA Champions League ties, away goals do not count double in MLS. So a win or a tie in the second leg sends the Galaxy to the conference finals while the Sounders would have to win by two goals to advance, or win by one to force series overtime.