The game in 100 words (or less): Don’t look now, but the LA Galaxy officially began the second half of their 2016 season on Saturday, and Bruce Arena’s side looks to be in the ascension at just the right time of year, as the three-time Supporters’ Shield and five-time MLS Cup-winning boss’s sides typically do. Saturday saw the Galaxy pick up a hugely important three points with a 1-0 road victory over the Seattle Sounders, making it two wins in two after a seven-game winless run that greatly coincided with Robbie Keane’s absence due to EURO 2016. Keane scored the game’s only goal on Saturday (two goals in two games since returning). With 18 games played, the Galaxy (29 points) presently sit third in the Western Conference, four points back of the Colorado Rapids for a knockout-round bye in the playoffs. As for the Sounders, Saturday’s defeat makes it just one win in eight for Sigi Schmid’s side, and they will occupy the bottom spot in the West when the weekend ends. They are seven points back of the sixth and final playoff place at present.
[ MORE: Previewing the rest of the MLS weekend ]
Three moments that mattered
15' — Zardes feeds Keane for an early lead — Zach Scott, nearly an hour after Gyasi Zardes’ disappearing run in the 15th minute, is still turning and attempting to locate the Galaxy attacker. Unfortunate for Scott, because he missed Zardes’ outside-of-the-foot cross for Keane’s sixth goal of the season.
Who else? Robbie Keane puts @lagalaxy up 1-0 off a great cross from @gyasinho. #SEAvLA https://t.co/J2VbKuRnIu
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 9, 2016
53' — DeLaGarza blocks Morris’s open-goal effort — Shut down the Save of the Week voting. A.J. DeLaGarza’s got this week’s award locked up.
.@AJD_20 4 President. https://t.co/Im5FTMGTOW #SEAvLA pic.twitter.com/EUcYkwDFuV
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) July 9, 2016
76' — Rowe tips Dempsey’s header over the bar — Clint Dempsey had the Sounders’ best chance for an equalizer, with 15 minutes left to play, but Brian Rowe made the acrobatic save to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Getting closer...#SEAvLA: https://t.co/o4JScpA2vu pic.twitter.com/1fGCdzb1ni
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) July 9, 2016
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Man of the match: Robbie Keane
Goalscorers: Keane (15')
