CLOSE ENCOUNTER

Seattle Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid has said that it will be a close encounter between his team and LA Galaxy when the two meet each other on Wednesday night. LA Galaxy are the visitors to Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night in one of the high-profile matches of the MLS season.

However, LA Galaxy’s best player David Beckham is likely to be missing for this match. According to reports, LA Galaxy manager Bruce Arena has reportedly given the former England midfielder time off in order to celebrate his birthday. Seattle Sounders are best placed to take advantage of the lack of the England midfielder according to Sigi Schmid, who thinks that the match will be close.

It has been three years since Seattle Sounders last beat LA Galaxy in a league game. In many ways, LA Galaxy are the bogey team for Seattle Sounders, but Sigi Schmid reckons that the record has to change sooner rather than later. Seattle Sounders have failed to score against LA Galaxy in the last three encounters, which have finished in an aggregate total of 6-0 in favour of LA Galaxy. It is this poor record that has motivated the players ahead of this encounter according to Sigi Schmid.

“I’m happy with us being fired up. We’ll take all the fire we can get. I don’t think you can get too fired up for that. We’re a team that’s been very consistent over the past three years and we’ve started off this season all right, as well. We just want to take it to that next level, and winning games of this magnitude is something that will help us get to that level,” Schmid said ahead of the match. Midfielder Brian Evans also has said that it is extremely crucial for the club to take all three points.

ZAKUANI WINS SUPPORT

Seattle Sounders midfielder Steve Zakuani has received a lot of support from football players across the world after suffering a fractured right tibia and fibula following a challenge from Brian Mullan.

It has been a tackle that has been criticised around the world, while Brian Mullan has also been subjected to intense criticism within North America as well. However, even after a year after suffering the horrific injury, Steve Zakuani is long away from returning to the game. It was initially hoped that the player will be returning to action at the start of the season, but he has now suffered a setback in his attempts to recover from the problem.

Steve Zakuani was subjected to a horrible challenge from Brian Mullan in the match at Colorado. It is exactly one year since the incident has happened, but Steve Zakuani is no closer to returning to first-team action. It was initially expected that he would be returning to first-team action in a few weeks, while he was also to play in the reserves match against Chivas USA in order to get some fitness under his belt. However, following consultation with the medical staff at Seattle Sounders, Zakuani has decided to postpone his return.

“(Sunday marked) a year since the injury. It definitely would (have been) special to be out there. … But I have felt a little bit of pain. That’s how rehab goes. You go up a bit, and you plateau, and then you go up a bit. I’ve pushed a lot the last couple of weeks, and it may be a reaction to that. But it’s just bad timing. I don’t really think about it. The only thing I’m concerned about is getting back playing,” Zakuani said regarding his comeback to the centre of the Seattle Sounders midfield.

ESTRADA TIPPED FOR FUTURE

David Estrada is fast becoming the best player in the MLS when it comes to scoring goals. He has now scored in his last four MLS season’s, while the season he has four goals from just two matches. The Seattle Sounders were extremely good in the first half against Houston Dynamo. It was enough for them to seal a 2-0 victory over the Houston Dynamos, thus maintaining their perfect start to the season. So far, Houston Dynamo have won just two of the seven matches at the start of the season. Speaking after the match, Seattle sounders manager Sigi Schmid said that he is extremely overjoyed to see the fighting spirit from his team.

Houston Dynamo are team best known for their set piece abilities, but they were undone in the match against Seattle Sounders by two set piece goals, which was the most disappointing aspect for them. David Estrada scored the first goal with a wicked deflection, which he later admitted. Speaking after the match, the striker said that he is extremely happy that everything that he hits is now turning to goals, although he has also admitted that hard work pays as much as luck. Seattle Sounders’ second goal was a penalty converted by Brad Evans.

“Over the course of the season you’ve got to win games different ways. Today was one of those games where you’ve got to roll up your sleeves and you’ve got to battle and persevere. We scored two timely goals,” Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid said after the match. Seattle Sounders are currently second in the Western Conference just behind Real Salt Lake. They are the one among the four teams to have won the opening two matches of the season. Houston Dynamo also remain in the second position courtesy of their defeat.