Seattle Sounders vs Galaxy: Down To The Wire

With the Seattle Sounders coming off a gut-wrenching, Cascadia Cup-losing defeat at the hands of the Vancouver Whitecaps, the LA Galaxy had the chance to put the Sounders Supporters’ Shield hopes on life support against FC Dallas.

Thanks to a Fabian Castillo 88th minute winner, the Sounders remain tied with the Galaxy atop the Western Conference table.

The Galaxy lead going into the half on a Stefan Ishisaki goal, but a 54th minute response from Dallas’ David Texiera tied the game at one goal apiece, setting the stage for Castillo.

Dallas (and Seattle) got lucky when an assist from LA’s keeper Jaime Penedo gave Castillo a gift-wrapped goal opportunity, complete with a card and bow. Penedo errantly punched a cross back to the middle of the field, which Castillo headed home for the uncontested winner.

The Sounders and Galaxy each have 60 points with two games remaining, and those two games are a home-and-away series between the two teams. LA would have the better goal differential should the two teams finish with the same amount of points, so Seattle will need at least a win and a tie to bring home their first Supporters’ Shield.

The Galaxy won the only match between the two teams, a 3-0 blowout, one of the Sounders’ worst outings of the year.

The two teams play each other on Sunday, October 19, and then on Saturday, October 25.