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Donovan helps Galaxy topple Sounders

Jul 29, 2014 - 4:07 AM Seattle, WA (SportsNetwork.com) - Landon Donovan scored a goal and assisted on two more as the Los Angeles Galaxy coasted to a 3-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on Monday.

The Galaxy jumped on Seattle early with all three goals arriving in the first 36 minutes, while the visitors cruised home from there to record a third win in four games.

Seattle entered the match six points clear at the top of the Western Conference, but Sigi Schmid's side was well below par on Monday and suffered a second defeat in three league games.

The Sounders were particularly poor in the first half as the team failed to maintain any consistent possession while leaving too many openings at the back.

And the Galaxy took advantage eight minutes into the contest as Marcelo Sarvas slipped a pass into the penalty area for Donovan, who laid off a ball for Gyasi Zardes to slam first-time past goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

Sarvas had a hand in the second goal as well 10 minutes later as he got to the top of the box and unleashed a shot that took a slight deflection on its way to goal. The redirection forced Frei to parry the ball into the path of Donovan, who was left with an easy finish.

Things got even worse for Seattle in the 36th when Donovan released Sarvas with a pass that allowed him to dribble toward the edge of the area before dropping a ball off to Stefan Ishizaki on the right. He then drove a first- time shot past the diving Frei and inside the left post.

Frei made two saves on Zardes late in the first half to keep his team within three goals, but it was the lone bright spot in an otherwise forgettable 45 minutes for Seattle.

The Sounders didn't manage to test Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo until the 59th minute, when a curling shot from Clint Dempsey forced him to make a diving save to keep his clean sheet.

Los Angeles took its foot off the gas the rest of the way and easily coasted home for three big points.