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Galaxy-Sounders Preview

Oct 30, 2010 - 7:02 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Los Angeles (18-7-5) at Seattle (14-10-6), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Three years after acquiring David Beckham, the Los Angeles Galaxy are hoping that huge signing finally pays off with their first MLS Cup since 2005.

Beckham and the top-seeded Galaxy open the playoffs against the surging Seattle Sounders in the first leg of a home-and-home series at Qwest Field on Sunday.

Los Angeles (18-7-5) enters the postseason after a strong push to close out the year, which coincided with Beckham's return from a torn left Achilles' tendon that kept him out of the team's first 23 games.

Beckham came back Sept. 11 and the Galaxy went 5-2-0 to finish the regular season, winning three of four in October. In their final game last Sunday, he scored his second goal of the year in a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas that clinched the club's first Supporters' Shield since 2002.

It was the first trophy awarded to the team since Beckham joined in 2007.

"I've won quite a few accolades and awards over the years," Beckham said. "But for us, it's not over. We want to go all the way and we want to win everything."

After losing to Real Salt Lake on penalty kicks in last year's MLS Cup final, nothing short of a third league title will satisfy Beckham and the Galaxy. The last time they won the Supporters' Shield they also won the franchise's first MLS Cup. The second came in 2005.

The Galaxy dominated the Sounders in two regular season wins, outscoring them 7-1. While Beckham was absent from both contests, Landon Donovan had a goal and four assists.

Besides Beckham and Donovan, Seattle (14-10-6) will also have to contend with Edson Buddle, who finished one goal behind San Jose's Chris Wondolowski for the Golden Boot, awarded to the MLS' leading scorer. Buddle, who had 17 goals, including one against the Sounders, finished with three goals in his final four games. Los Angeles was 11-1-1 when he scored and 4-5-3 when he played but didn't tally a goal.

"You can't really zero in on one of them, because they're all dangerous players," Seattle midfielder Nathan Sturgis told the league's official website.

After clinching their second playoff appearance in the franchise's second year, the Sounders closed the regular season with a 2-1 loss to Houston on Oct. 23 to end a five-game winning streak. They went 10-2-3 over their final 15 games, the league's best mark over that stretch.

MLS rookie Blaise Nkufo, who made his debut July 25, has provided a boost with five goals in his last six games.

"We're a much different team than when we played (Los Angeles) in the last two league games," coach Sigi Schmid said.

Schmid's club gave up 35 goals this season - the most of any playoff team - but led by goalkeeper Kasey Keller, Seattle allowed six goals over the final seven games.

Seattle lost to the Dynamo in the opening round of last season's playoffs, but it's hoping for a deeper run this year. Beginning in front of its home fans should help. The Sounders were 8-4-3 at home this year and haven't lost in their last seven home games, going 5-0-2.

"For us the motivation is definitely there," said Schmid, who coached the Galaxy from 1999-2004. "We want to do better than we did last year. We got a chance to go up against the Supporters' Shield winner and if you want to win a championship you are going to have to beat a team like that eventually."

The second leg of the aggregate total series will be at the Home Depot Center next Sunday.