Three keys: Can Sounders withstand Galaxy’s goal machine?

After a nail-biting win over the Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend, the Sounders continue their desperate push for the MLS Cup Playoffs this Sunday as they head to Los Angeles to face the Galaxy. The home side has basically clinched a spot already, but while the Galaxy aren’t as desperate as the Sounders, they’ll be pushing for points to try and get themselves a first-round bye in the playoffs.

The Sounders are still without Clint Dempsey, and are likely to again be without captain Brad Evans, though the defensive partnership of Roman Torres and Chad Marshall has more than taken care of business in Evans’ absence. The Galaxy, on the other hand, have been hit with injuries so badly that LA and USMNT legend Landon Donovan has come out of retirement to help them out. Giovani Dos Santos and Steven Gerrard recently returned to training, though Gyasi Zardes is out for the season.

Here are three things to watch for as the Sounders head to L.A. on Sunday at 1 p.m.:

1. The Donovan Effect? Despite not having played soccer for nearly two years, Donovan scored an equalizing goal against Sporting KC after coming off the bench in just his second match after returning to the Galaxy. He’s clearly still getting his fitness back, but he hasn’t lost his scoring touch. The return to training of Dos Santos could limit the need for Donovan on Sunday, but he adds an entirely new dynamic to a team that the Sounders have struggled with all season. The two teams played each other three times in July, including a draw and win for LA in MLS play, as well as a 4-2 win for LA in the Open Cup that knocked Seattle out. The draw, however, came just after Brian Schmetzer took over and the team had signed Nicolas Lodeiro. They’ve improved since then for the most part, but are still struggling to replace Dempsey. The introduction of Donovan changes things, but in the context of this match, Lodeiro will likely have a much bigger effect.

2. Dempsey-shaped hole still not filled for Seattle. The only way the Donovan narrative could have been ramped up even more for Sunday’s match would be if he faced Dempsey, his long-time national teammate and goal-scoring rival. But seeing as that won’t be happening, the Sounders are still trying to find their best replacement for the legendary forward. Flaco Fernandez has seen the most action in Dempsey’s stead, mostly because he’s been the only player on the team suited to the right attacking midfield spot. Erik Friberg is probably a better player, but including him forces Cristian Roldan to play out of position and ruins his midfield partnership with Osvaldo Alonso. Aaron Kovar also fits that position, but he’s unlikely to go straight into a start after his long injury layoff. We’ll probably see Flaco again on Sunday, but I don’t expect much from him after his ineffective appearances so far.

3. Can Seattle withstand the LA goal machine? Despite taking the fewest shots in the league (312), the Galaxy are tied for the second-most goals scored in all of MLS (51). They only have one player in the top 10 of the goal-scoring charts (Dos Santos, 14), meaning that most of the team is goal-dangerous. They might be without speedy winger Zardes and (maybe) the deadly duo of Dos Santos and Gerrard, but they can produce goals from nearly any player in any position. What Seattle has going for it, at least, is the best defensive midfielder in the league in Alonso, and a burgeoning MVP-level defensive partnership in Marshall and Torres. I don’t see Robbie Keane managing to get himself a goal with Torres likely sticking to him for 90 minutes, but it’ll be players cutting in from the wing or making late runs into the box that could hurt Seattle the most. Tyrone Mears has had some pretty horrendous games as of late and Joevin Jones occasionally finds himself out of position on counter attacks. If Seattle can manage to withstand the danger that LA poses from all over the pitch, a draw would probably be considered a successful road trip. If the Sounders can keep the clean sheet and manage a goal of their own, those three points could prove the turning point of the season.

Spenser Davis also covers the Sounders for Sounder at Heart.