MLS First Kick

The 2011 MLS season is officially underway. The Seattle Sounders hosted Landon Donovan, David Beckham, and the L.A. Galaxy in front of over 36,000 screaming fans tonight, but the majority went home disappointed as the Galaxy eeked out a 1-0 win on a second half goal from Juninho. It was an even more impressive result considering that the Galaxy were without their starting goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts (hamstring), arguably their best defensive player Omar Gonzalez (shoulder) and their big offseason acquisition, striker Juan Pablo Angel (illness). Yet the Galaxy were able to overcome these absences getting a big game from Josh Saunders in goal, and good production from their midfield. The foursome of Donovan, Beckham, Chris Birchall, and Juninho were involved in virtually all of L.A.'s scoring chances. Birchall had a couple good strikes from distance, Beckham narrowly missed scoring off a free kick right before the half, Donovan hit the crossbar on a shot from outside the box on a break and Juninho scored the goal from distance and a beautiful strike past a diving Kasey Keller. The goal was set up by a great bit of anticipation from left back Todd Dunivant who deftly intercepted a pass from Seattle's Erik Friberg and then laid off a perfect lead pass for Juninho streaking down the middle of the field.

Photo Courtesy: cbc.ca/sports

Galaxy forwards Mike Magee and Chad Barrett were more or less non-factors in this one, and you could see this is a team that could really struggle to score without Edson Buddle who scored 19 goals a year ago. Buddle is now playing for FC Ingolstadt 04 in Germany. Seattle on the other hand, got great work from their offensive players, they just couldn't put together that final touch. Fredy Montero, O'Brian White and Steve Zakuani created numerous opportunities in both halves they just didn't result in goals. Zakuani made two really nice runs down the right side playing great balls into O'Brian in the middle, but the first one he wasn't able to receive, and the second one he deflected just wide of the back post. Montero had several well struck balls from both inside and outside of the box, but Saunders was there every time.

The loss is yet another frustrating one for the Sounders at the hands of the Galaxy who beat them 4 times last season including twice in the playoffs by scores of 1-0 and 2-1. They also drubbed them 4-0 at Qwest Field in one of the Sounders' worst showings of the 2010 season. The fact that they couldn't come away with a point on their home turf against a diminished Galaxy is cause for great concern if you're a Seattle fan. Still, there's a long way to go, and the flashes of brilliance from Seattle's offense should start resulting in goals before too long. The Galaxy are in action again on Sunday as they host the New England Revolution while Seattle travels to New York to take on the Red Bulls on Saturday night.

Other MLS Notes:

Swiss International Blaise Nkufo, who played for Seattle last season, and the Sounders have gone their separate ways. It was announced before the game tonight that he would not be returning in 2011.

Real Salt Lake opened up the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals with a 2-0 home win over Costa Rica's Deportivo Saprissa. Alvaro Saborio, a native of Costa Rica, opened the scoring in the 9th minute for Real and Fabian Espindola added an insurance goal in the 56th minute. The second leg is set to be held on April 4th in Costa Rica.