The Sounders gather for a pre-game rally. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Century Link Field drew 57,673 Saturday for the Seattle Sounders’ final regular-season game versus L.A. Galaxy. If it had been a movie, you would have rolled your eyes at the implausibility: The battle for the Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the MLS team with the best regular-season record, came down to the last 10 minutes of the final meeting of the season between the #1 and #2 teams, who had played in L.A. the previous Sunday to an inconclusive 2-2 draw.The Sounders finally eked out the win, and the Shield–the team’s first MLS trophy in its six seasons in the league–as Marco Pappa, a 73rd-minute sub for Sounders’ captain Brad Evans, scored the first goal of the game in the 85th minute. He repeated the feat 10 minutes later in stoppage time when he dramatically poached the ball from Galaxy goalie Jaime Penedo and easily scooped it into the net. The win, and the #1 seed, gives the Sounders home-field advantage for the playoffs. The Western Conference semifinals take place Sunday, Nov. 2 (away) and Monday, Nov. 10 (home; tickets now on sale at soundersfc.com) against a team TBA: the winner of Wednesday’s match between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Dallas FC.
Somos Sounders: an emotional moment for Shield-winning goal-scorer Pappa, left, with Osvaldo Alonso and Gonzalo Pineda. Photo by Morgen Schuler
It was an incredibly exciting second half, with Seattle’s goal leader Obafemi Martins heavily guarded, though he was credited with an assist for Pappa’s first goal. Martins is locked in a Most Valuable Player race with L.A.’s Robbie Keane, who surprisingly did not make the trip north.Saturday’s match also marked the last regular-season game for Landon Donovan, retiring after an epochal career with the Galaxy and the U.S. men’s national team. He incited sneering comments and an especially rowdy cheer from the crowd after a supposed purposeful trip of midfielder Gonzalo Pineda. His career seemed to end with a whimper as he walked off the field after the Galaxy loss, shoulders hunched, trailed by press. Though a fan did ask for his jersey as he left, which she excitedly received as others nearby chanted “eBay! eBay! eBay!”
Don’t forget to check out our slideshow capturing the best moments of the game.
Pappa charged the goal after grabbing possession. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Pappa was able to find a whole in Goalie Jaime Penedo’s defenses to get the first goal of the game. Photo by Morgen Schuler
It flew into the goal with ease as the crowd erupted. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Pappa celebrates his goal and runs toward the fans for congratulations. Photo by Morgen Schuler
His Sounders teammates jump Pappa after his goal in the eighty-fourth minute. Photo by Morgen Schuler
The goal we had all been waiting for finally let the Sounders breathe a little with a win in sight. Photo by Morgen Schuler
The goal we had all been waiting for finally let the Sounders breathe a little with a win in sight. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Pappa wasn’t finished yet, he refused to let up on the Galaxy defense. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Martins was full steam ahead after Pappa’s goal, grabbing possession several times before the end of the game. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Martins finally seemed to be getting around the Galaxy defense to see some action. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Pappa managed to get around DeLaGarza for free reign of the goal with Martins helping along the way. Photo by Morgen Schuler
The fans went absolutely berzerk as Pappa’s second goal clinched the Sounders’ victory. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Post-game shenanigans as Sounders fans got to meet some of their favorites. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Seattle finally won the coveted Supporter’s Shield, the first time the Sounders have captured it. Photo by Morgen Schuler
The fans stayed long after the game ended, cheering on their team. Photo by Morgen Schuler
The team families walked onto the field to celebrate with the team, stopping for the occasional portrait. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Sometimes, even stopping to play a little soccer, just like their dads. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Sounders Co-owner Drew Carey talks about his excitement of winning and continuing to dominate. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Coach Sigi thanked the team and the fans for all the support throughout the season. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Team captain Brad Evans took the stage to talk about how fantastic it’s been to work with such a great team. Photo by Morgen Schuler
The game remained scoreless through the entire first half. Photo by Morgen Schuler
The rowdy Sounders fans chanted all the way to the game. Photo by Morgen Schuler
The rowdy Sounders fans chanted all the way to the game. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Fans rallying at the beginning of the game. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Landon Donovan didn’t touch the ball much Saturday but when he did, it was aggressively so. Photo by Morgen Schuler
L.A. Galaxy seemed to dominate possession of the ball from the beginning. Photo by Morgen Schuler
The Galaxy had opening after opening to attempt goals, but Frei kept them at bay. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Dempsey was heavily on guard during the first half, with little to no actual touches but strong defense. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Coach Sigi Schmid watching as his team fights through the tough defense. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Landon Donovan played his last regular season game Saturday, with not much action to speak of. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Obafemi Martins is in the race for league MVP, but was kept at bay by the Galaxy defense. Photo by Morgen Schuler
The march to the match was just as boisturous as always with the band leading the way. Photo by Morgen Schuler
L.A. Galaxy kept control of the ball more often than not, shutting down any attempts by the Sounders for early scoring. Photo by Morgen Schuler
The Sounders made only one goal attempt in the entirety of the first half of the game. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Things got rough as the game wore on, frustration at seeing so little of the ball made play more aggressive. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Things got rough as the game wore on, frustration at seeing so little of the ball made play more aggressive. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Tension was building and Dempsey got into a scuffle with DeLaGarza. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Goalie Stefan Frei thwarted 10 goal attempts by the Galaxy in the first half. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Attempts to get control of the ball seemed almost futile at times. Photo by Morgen Schuler
The fresh vitality that Marco Pappa brought to the team when he was subbed in at the end of the game turned things around. Photo by Morgen Schuler
In mere minutes, Pappa was able to get the ball back and keep posession for some real plays to take place. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Martins finally seemed to be getting around the Galaxy defense to see some action. Photo by Morgen Schuler
