Monday Night Soccer Brings Together Galaxy and Sounders
In a rare Monday night game for Major League Soccer, a busy weekend concludes with a game between the Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy. The Sounders have already secured a playoff spot but are still fighting to earn the top seed in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, still has work to do to solidify a playoff birth.
According to BetUS, Seattle is favored at home with at -125 while the Galaxy is priced at +330 to take the W. The draw is priced at +285. BetOnline have pretty similar betting odds; Seattle is priced at -130, LA Galaxy is at +350, and the draw is at +300.
As for those interested in totals betting, both sportsbooks have an over/under of 2.5 total goals being scored in this game.
Everything on the Line
The Sounders have stumbled down the stretch and now find themselves in a fight for the top seed in the Western Conference despite already clinching a playoff spot. Seattle is currently in a three-way tie with Sporting Kansas City and the Colorado Rapids for first place at 58 points. Including Monday’s game, Seattle and Kansas City have two games left while Colorado has one, giving the Sounders an edge if they can get a win on Monday night.
As for the Galaxy, they are currently occupying the seventh and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The problem is that two teams are within two points of them, so a win on Monday doesn’t lock up a playoff spot, although a loss would be devastating. The silver lining is that a win could put them as high as fourth, giving them a little bit of a cushion in a crowded race.
The Stars Are Not Aligned
The Galaxy has not looked like a playoff-bound team recently, suffering a home draw against FC Dallas and then losing to Sporting Kansas City midweek. Defensive problems are starting to plague LA, which has kept just one clean sheet in the club’s last eight games. They’ve also allowed multiple goals in five of those eight matches, for a total of 13 goals allowed during that stretch.
The silver lining is that Mexican international Javier Hernandez gives the Galaxy one of the league’s most dynamic attacking players. Hernandez has 14 goals in 19 games this season, including three goals in his last five matches despite missing the loss to Sporting KC last week. The Galaxy also has a strong midfield that can help control the game with the likes of Sacha Kljestan, Victor Vazquez, and Sebastian Lletget.
Sounds Like a Collapse
While Seattle still controls its own fate for the top seed, the Sounders appear to be in the middle of a late-game collapse. They are fresh off a 3-0 loss to Los Angeles FC, giving them three losses in a draw in their last four games. Despite still being tied for the fewest goals conceded in MLS this year, averaging just under one per game, Seattle has allowed eight goals during that four-match run.
Meanwhile, the Sounders were shut out in the loss to LAFC and haven’t scored more than one goal in four straight matches. Those struggles have coincided with Raul Ruidiaz being absent, although the Peruvian striker has a chance to return on Monday. Ruidiaz has scored 16 goals in 25 matches this season, so if he can’t play or isn’t 100%, the pressure shifts to the likes of Fredy Montero and Cristian Roldan.
Nobody’s Happy
Both teams need to win on Monday for different reasons, although this game could be destined to end in a stalemate. The Sounders don’t look like themselves right now, although the Galaxy hasn’t played well enough lately to take advantage of that.
Seattle’s recent play isn’t worthy of being a favorite, so if you are going to bet online, bet on this game to end in a draw, which has rather lucrative betting odds.
