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L.A., Seattle kick off 2011 MLS season

Mar 14, 2011 - 4:16 PM Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Seattle Sounders FC has been impressive in its first two seasons in Major League Soccer, but the one opponent that has always caused them problems is the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Seattle lost all four meetings against L.A. last year, including both games of their Western Conference semifinal playoff series. Combined with two regular- season meetings, L.A. outscored Seattle, 10-2, in those four games.

So when the 2011 MLS season kicks off Tuesday at Qwest Field, where a capacity crowd is expected, the Sounders will get a quick chance to erase last season's disappointments against the Galaxy.

"It is vital to face this great team. If you think about MLS, the first team that comes to your mind is L.A. Galaxy, because of its experience and history in the league, because of its players and their careers in international soccer," said Seattle forward Fredy Montero.

L.A. features a star-studded lineup that includes former English captain David Beckham and U.S. star Landon Donovan. In addition, Juan Pablo Angel was signed as the club's third designated player this offseason.

Angel joined the Galaxy to replace Edson Buddle, who left MLS to join German Bundesliga 2 side Ingolstadt. Angel has 58 goals over the last four seasons.

Otherwise, the Galaxy return almost intact and their sights are set on nothing else but an MLS Cup this season. L.A. lost in the final two years ago and fell in the Western Conference final last year to FC Dallas.

With Beckham in the final year of his five-year contract and coach Bruce Arena dealing with an ageing lineup, the time is now for L.A. to win its first title in the Beckham era.

Angel believes the visit to Seattle, where L.A. has never lost in MLS, to open the season is a perfect place to start what promises to be a memorable season.

"Seattle is one of the best cities to play in, because of the atmosphere at the stadium, their fans and because it's a team that knows how to play good soccer," said Angel, who spent his first four seasons with Red Bull New York.

Like the Galaxy, Seattle returns mainly intact from last year, when it won its second straight U.S. Open Cup during the club's second MLS season. Like L.A., Seattle needs to seize its opportunity to raise the Cup this year.

Seattle has qualified for the postseason in each of its first two seasons, but failed to even advance out of the first round each time.

Veteran goalkeeper Kasey Keller and striker Blaise NKufo are set to retire, and it will leave coach Sigi Schmid with voids to fill after this season. But, with a great challenge to kick off the season, both teams will get a good read on how well the season could end.

For Montero, who is one of Seattle's three designated players along with Nkufo and Alvaro Fernandez, it's important the Sounders defend their home - which is one of the best advantages in MLS with crowds averaging over 36,000 last year.

"At our venue we have to succeed and achieve the expectations of our packed stadium," said Montero, "and we are going to give all our best."

Regardless of the outcome, the 41-year-old Keller knows the season will not be won or lost Tuesday, but that doesn't mean the result isn't important.

"Regardless of what happens in this first game - and of course we want to win and we want to exorcise some ghosts from last year - it's a long season," said Keller.