There is always a lot at stake when the Galaxy face the Seattle Sounders.
On Saturday night, it’s not for a trip to MLS Cup or for the top spot in the Western Conference. It’s for mere survival.
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With the season in its final stages, the Galaxy conclude a three-game week in 12th place in the Western Conference standings, but only one point behind the ninth and final playoff spot. The Sounders, who have played just 22 games, are in 13th place, two points behind the Galaxy.
The proximity in the West, being what it is, with just six points separating seventh and 14th place, makes Wednesday night’s loss in Vancouver even more painful for the Galaxy (7-10-8, 29 points).
With a draw, the Galaxy could have climbed up to the playoff line. A win would have moved them over it. However, all they got was another loss, with a rotated midfield that never caught up to the speed of the game in a 3-0 loss against the Whitecaps.
Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said part of the decision was due to the state of the artificial surface at BC Place.
“The surface here is really, really difficult,” Vanney said Wednesday. “It’s extremely slippery, guys are very uncomfortable and uncertain about footing, and the field play is incredibly slow with no bounce.
“I think it was important for us to protect those guys that we protected tonight. We got through the game without any injuries. I think guys obviously are a little tired, but hopefully we can build forward. We’ve got a home game that’s massive on the weekend, and hopefully we can build forward with some continuity through this. … I just never thought we found the speed of it and against a good team and a difficult place to play.”
Marco Reus, Sergi Roberto and Erik Thommy all came on as second-half substitutes in the 55th minute.
That sets the stage for an important encounter against the Sounders (7-9-6, 27 points), who are winless in their past 11 MLS games. When you factor in their three Leagues Cup games, the Sounders have only one win in their past 14 matches.
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However, the Sounders do have one possible remedy in Dejan Joveljić. The former Galaxy forward joined the Sounders following a trade with Sporting Kansas City last month. In his debut, he scored a pair of goals. He has scored in each of his three meetings against the Galaxy.
After scoring in his first trip to Carson this season, Joveljić said. “It (scoring here) feels special. … I can say sorry (to Galaxy fans), but I’m going to score every time.”
The Galaxy defeated Seattle, 2-0, in their first meeting on May 16, but both goal scorers (Gabriel Pec and Matheus Nascimento) are no longer on the roster.
After Saturday, the Galaxy will be down to just eight games remaining.
“I know that it’s a hungry group out there that want to win every, every game, and hopefully we’re going to start already on Saturday and we can build some momentum and some confidence out of that,” Galaxy defender Jakob Glesnes said.
KLAUSS ACTIVATED
The Galaxy officially activated forward João Klauss, who had been sidelined since April due to foot surgery and was placed on the injured list.
To activate him, the club had to acquire an international roster spot from Minnesota United for $150,000 in General Allocation Money and a 2027 MLS SuperDraft second-round pick.
Klauss will be eligible for Saturday’s game.
GALAXY TO HOST CRUZ AZUL
The Galaxy will face Liga MX’s Cruz Azul in an exhibition match on Oct. 4 at Dignity Health Sports Park. The game comes during the FIFA international window. Tickets went on sale Wednesday.
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SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC (7-9-6, 27 points) at GALAXY (7-10-8, 29 points)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park
How to watch: Apple TV