Sounders-Galaxy Preview
Bruce Arena has no trouble making light of Los Angeles' rough start to the follow-up of its record fifth MLS championship. That does not mean the Galaxy coach or his players aren't a little restless.
Winless in four straight matches and looking to avoid their first three-game league losing streak in three seasons, the Galaxy might have a good chance to get back on track while trying to continue their home success overall and against the Seattle Sounders on Sunday.
Los Angeles (1-2-2) opened with a 2-0 home victory over Chicago, but has been outscored 6-3 since and didn't record a goal while suffering consecutive road defeats to D.C. United and Vancouver in the last two matches. The Galaxy haven't dropped three in a row since May 2012 or been blanked in three straight since August 2007.
"Actually I think the season's over," Arena jokingly told the Galaxy's official website. "I think we should fold the tent up and go home."
While Arena won't panic, he's not void from getting a little defensive.
"Why would anyone with half a brain even think after five games that anything's said and done?" he said.
Though the Galaxy expected a better start even with Landon Donovan retired and talented midfielder Marcelo Sarvas now in Colorado, they're not completely discouraged and eager to extend a 16-0-5 league home stretch.
"The beginning of the week I think we were frustrated," Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez said. "But now I think that's out of the way. Everyone recognizes the fact that it's going to take a great effort to get a result here at home. We're all on the same page right now."
That's usually been the case at home against Seattle (2-1-1).
Since falling 2-0 in the first meeting with the Sounders in Southern California, the Galaxy own a 17-5 goal-advantage while going 6-0-3 at home in the series. They played to a 2-2 draw there during the regular season, then Sarvas' goal in the 52nd minute gave Los Angeles a 1-0 home victory in the first leg of last year's Western Conference finals.
"We have to start playing better, and why not do it against Seattle?" Galaxy midfielder Stefan Ishizaki said.
No matter their rival's current state, the Sounders expect only the best from Los Angeles.
"It's definitely going to be a battle," Seattle defender Brad Evans said. "We look at it as the same L.A. team as always. ... They're still a dangerous team."
Sounders star and U.S. national team member Clint Dempsey has scored three goals in six matches against the Galaxy since returning to MLS in 2013. He has three in three matches this season and recorded his second assist on Obafemi Martins' third goal in the 39th minute of last Saturday's 1-0 home victory over Houston.
Seattle played to a scoreless draw in its only road match of the season at FC Dallas on March 28.
Los Angeles' Robbie Keane scored 21 goals during his MVP season in 2014, but none came against the Sounders. He's scored both of his goals this season at home.