Something big was on the line the last two times the LA Galaxy visited Seattle, and there's a lot riding, too, on Sunday's Western Conference clash (9:30 pm ET, Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes), where a victory will secure them a postseason berth and keep their bid for a first Supporters' Shield in four years on target.
They head to the Pacific Northwest in good health, more or less, and with advancing form behind a consistent, talented group that bounced back from a monthlong skid with an often impressive 3-2 victory last weekend over FC Dallas.
Nearly everything is in place for another Galaxy-Sounders classic, but there's one missing element LA wishes were present: Seattle backline leader Chad Marshall.
The three-time MLS Defender of the Year suffered a sprained neck in a fall during training Wednesday morning in Tukwila, Wash., and although the injury is nowhere near as serious as first feared, the Galaxy on Friday expressed concern for Marshall and regret that he's certain to miss the showdown at CenturyLink Field.
“It's very unfortunate. He is very well-liked and respected in the league,” said Galaxy coach Bruce Arena, who in 2005 gave Marshall his first four US national team caps. “I would hope whatever happened is short-term, and I'd love to see him on the field Sunday. If that could be case, it would be great.”
Marshall, who is from Southern California, was resting at home after tests revealed no major damage, and there is no timeline for his return. He'll likely be out at least a couple of weeks, given the usual recovery time from such an injury.
With fellow starting center back Roman Torres sidelined with an ACL tear sustained in a Sept. 12 draw at San Jose, the Sounders have a huge hole to fill against Robbie Keane, Giovani Dos Santos and Co., who had scored 50 goals in 15 competitive matches before the three-game goalless stretch that preceded last week's victory.
“Since I've been in the league [since 2011, Marshall] has definitely been one of the best defenders, no question about it ...,” said Keane, who has 16 goals in 21 MLS appearances this season. “They still have good players, we know that. [Zach] Scott is a natural defender, and the captain, [Brad] Evans, he can play anywhere.
“Listen, it's a big loss, but players can fill in, no problem.”
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The Galaxy-Sounders rivalry is among MLS's best, and it reached an apex last season when they squared off in the regular-season finale for the Supporters' Shield, which Seattle claimed with two late goals, and again in the Western Conference final, with LA prevailing on away goals after Juninho's long-range blast in the Sounders' 2-1 second-leg victory.
LA (14-9-8) figure to get to the postseason later if not now – they wrap up the regular season Oct. 18 at home against Portland and Oct. 25 at Sporting Kansas City – but they don't command their destiny despite being on top in the West.
Vancouver, one point back, lost command of the West after a draw Saturday at San Jose, but they'll have a game in hand after the Galaxy play Sunday; the New York Red Bulls went a point ahead of the Galaxy in the Shield standings with a victory over Columbus and FC Dallas, home Sunday to Houston, is three behind, but after Sunday both will have two more games to play than does the Galaxy. Winning in Seattle appears crucial if LA is going to challenge for the Shield.
“It's a very important game for us ...,” Dos Santos said Friday. “For us, it's going to be like a final. We want to be first on the table.”
