The Galaxy’s grip in the MLS playoffs became worse on Monday after a 1-1 draw with the Seattle Sounders, a result that paved the way for LAFC to clear a gradual season.
The point lifted the Galaxy (13-12-8) to sixth place in the Western MLS Conference standings, leaving only Sunday’s season finale with Minnesota United. But the Galaxy is not so close.
To stay among the top seven and advance to a gradual season, they will need a win over Minnesota, which would give them an advantage in the tie if the Galaxy and Vancouver finished even at 50 points. In any case, it is less than a victory and they will need help.
Galaxy broke through to the top in the 19th minute when he went unnoticed Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, dressed in a white long-sleeved undershirt and black gloves in wet and cold weather in Seattle, bounced the ball from the center of the field for six yards.
The sequence began with a corner kick by Sebastian Lletget, which Nick DePuy headed for Hernández, who, when turned towards the goal, diverted it with the back heel of his right foot for his 15th goal of the season.
Lletget nearly doubled the lead in extra time of the first half, with one right-footed jump from the middle of the penalty area toward the far post. But Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who jumped to his right, held the ball with his right hand long enough to push it past.
Frei managed another great defense in the opening minutes of the second half and stopped Ryan Raveloson from close range. That turned out to be big seconds later when Galaxy defender Oniel Fisher tripped Cristiano Roldan of Seattle on the right edge of the penalty area and set up a penalty that Raúl Ruidíaz, who played for the first time in more than a month, changed and equalized.
Seattle Sounders striker Jordan Morris, right, challenges Galaxy defender Nick DePuy, left, in the second half of Seattle on Monday.
(Ted S. Warren / Associated Press)
The Sounders also got 30 minutes from former national team striker Jordan Morris, who made his debut of the season after tearing the front cruciate ligament of his left knee during a loan in Swansea City in the second division English Championship in February.
And while Morris was active, teammate Xavier Arreaga was the one who nearly won the game for Seattle, only to see Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond hit his head with both hands from the crossbar to keep the tie and Galaxy gave the first point at Lumen Field after 2017.
“There were chances of us winning it,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said.
“It’s hard to say we should win. But we could beat her. “
And that means winning with Minnesota at home, where the Galaxy hasn’t won a season finale since 2012.
“The path is clear on what we need to do,” Vanney said. “It’s an elimination game.”
The Galaxy haven’t been out of the top seven this season, but they are limping towards the goal as they have only won two of their last 14 games. LAFC meanwhile sprints down and takes a five-game unbeaten streak in Tuesday’s home game against Vancouver.
Consequently, LAFC (12-12-8) is responsible for its own fate. If he wins and beats Vancouver at home and Colorado away on Sunday, LAFC would equalize to win the final standings.
“We’ve been talking about taking care of our games for a few weeks and we’re not counting on anyone else,” coach Bob Bradley said. “We found a way to step in and follow the teams in a good way. And we want to try to achieve that from the start against Vancouver. “