• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Sounders set for Galaxy test

Jul 27, 2014 - 9:08 PM Seattle, WA (SportsNetwork.com) - Seattle Sounders FC will attempt to extend their lead atop the Western Conference on Monday as the club welcomes the Los Angeles Galaxy to CenturyLink Field.

The Sounders sit six points clear of second-place Real Salt Lake at the top of the West, and Sigi Schmid's side will be attempting to collect a fifth win in six league games when his men come up against the Galaxy.

Seattle returns to league action for the first time in two weeks after notching a 2-0 win over Cascadia Cup rivals Portland.

Clint Dempsey scored in the 76th minute against the Timbers to hand his team the lead, and Marco Pappa added a second goal to secure all three points for the Sounders.

Pappa's goal was his second this season and the second goal he has scored in the past five games.

With DeAndre Yedlin away on international duty with the United States, Pappa's defensive responsibilities on the left side increased, and Schmid believes that the 26-year-old has shown signs that his game is continuing to develop.

"I see his game continuing to grow and develop," Schmid said of Pappa. "There's some good, good defensive moments he's given us on the flank, and that was never considered a trait of Marco's. He's on the field because he helps our attack, not because we want him to be a great left side defender, but he's got to do some of that work and has really grown as a player. He has found a mix and he knows how to find those pockets of space, which are really important."

The Galaxy saw their eight-match unbeaten run ended last weekend at Sporting Kansas City in a 2-1 defeat, and the club will be eager to get back in the win column in an effort to climb toward the top of the conference.

Los Angeles went behind in the 10th minute to a Benny Feilhaber free kick before Lawrence Olum scored just after the hour mark to double the advantage.

Robbie Keane found the net for the Galaxy 11 minutes from time to notch his 10th goal of the season and his third in the last two games, but his team was unable to equalize.

"The more I get on the ball, the more I can make things happen," Keane said. "I've done that my whole career and the way we play certainly suits my style of play. But at the end of the day, we've lost the game. We gave up a good goal, then scored a good goal to get back (into the game). We showed good spirit in the second half and gave a good battle."