A galaxy of stars in Seattle for primetime soccer
Aug 3, 2012, 11:16 AM | Updated: 12:30 pm
BY
Staff report
A big-time Major League Soccer game gets national television attention and a crowd of better than 50,000 Sunday night at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field.
The Los Angeles Galaxy, the defending MLS champions, are here with their marquee stars, David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Robbie Keane.
Let’s not forget the hometown guys. Seattle Sounders have found their early-season winning form, unbeaten in their last seven matches.
“This is a game I will certainly watch two or three times as well,” joked Sigi Schmid in our Coach’s Corner show. “LA got off to a slow start, but now they are on a roll. I think we are playing well after some struggles in the middle of the season. This is a six-point game in the Western Conference. It’s a big game.”
Schmid believes the Galaxy veterans had too much pride to remain near last in the table. Donovan appears motivated to win another title. Keane is finding the back of the net, and Beckham continues to produce fabulous free-kick goals.
Coming into this game, Seattle is tied with Vancouver for third place. Los Angeles is only one point behind.
Seattle dominated the Galaxy in early May with Fredy Montero and Eddie Johson scoring in a 2-nil Sounders victory. Beckham didn’t make the trip, and Los Angeles was without its best defender, Omar Gonzalez.
In that match, the Sounders lost goalkeeper Michael Gspurning with a hip injury. He just recently returned to full health and made some critical saves in last weekend’s 2-1 victory at Colorado.
The Sounders have a new weapon in midfield. Bundesliga star Christian Tiffert worked out at Starfire in Tukwila all week and is eager to get into his first MLS action.
Schmid says Tiffert has great vision, can hold onto the ball and should help the Sounders finish more chances in their attacking third of the field.
Seattle won its CONCACAF Champions League opening match Thursday night 3-1 over Caledonia AIA of Trinidad and Tobago. Schmid was able to rest some of his front-line players, including Mauro Rosales and defenders Jeff Parke and Adam Johansson.
Matt Johnson hosts the pregame show at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Thom Beuning and Kasey Keller pick up the first kick at 6 on 97.3 KIRO FM.
