An 83rd minute goal by Mike Magee fired the LA Galaxy to a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders on Sunday night to wrap up the 2012 MLS regular season.
LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders: Final score 1-0, Mike Magee strikes last to win it for LA
Mike Magee came off the bench and scored to earn the Galaxy a 1-0 win to close out the MLS regular season.
The win doesn't do anything for the Galaxy because they were already locked into the fourth seed in the West and a Wild Card Round match-up against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Sounders were hoping for a result so they could move up to the second seed and have home-field advantage in their conference semifinal tie against Real Salt Lake, but instead they will have to play the second leg on the road.
The two teams had plenty of chances, even if neither could convert them in the early going. The Galaxy got a handful of free looks inside of 15 yards, but they struggled to find the frame. Only once did it look like they were finally going to break through. Robbie Keane lifted a gorgeous chip over Michael Gspurning that would have made for an amazing goal, but it hit the crossbar and bounced away.
For Seattle, Fredy Montero led the attack and just barely missed out on goals on each side of halftime. In the first half, he came flying in with a tremendous header that beat Josh Saunders, but rattled the post. After the break he redirected a cross for what looked like a sure goal, but Saunders make a great save to deny him. Mauro Rosales also had a chance, but Saunders was there to deny him, too.
Finally, Magee came off the bench and delivered the winner seven minutes from time. He and Keane combined well at the top of the box and Keane eventually laid the ball off for Magee, who perfectly curled his left-footed shot into the side netting for what would prove to be the match-winner.
On the last play of the game, it looked like Seattle scored to earn a draw, but the referee waved off the Sounders’ goal. He ruled that in the scrum in front of goal that eventually led to the Sounders goal, Montero handled the ball while on the ground. It was a justifiable call because the ball did hit his arm, but it was very harsh. The ball hit the Colombian’s arm while he was on the ground and his arm wasn’t outstretched so there was clearly no intent. The hand ball didn’t affect much either, but the referee blew his whistle and LA walked away 1-0 winners.
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