Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders: 6 Things We Learned

Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy were in dire need of a statement win to close out MLS play in the month of May. They got it in the form of a massive 4-0 victory over Sigi Schmid’s Seattle Sounders at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

May 26, 2013; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy fans in attendance cheer against the Seattle Sounders during the second half at Home Depot Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

With the victory, the Galaxy improve to 6-4-2 (20 points) and remain in contention for a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Here are six things we learned from Sunday night’s encounter at Victoria Street, which will be going through a name change within days.

1. Galaxy downplay Robbie Rogers’s return successfully

The big headline this weekend was the return of Robbie Rogers to Major League Soccer, after coming out just days ago. The Galaxy decided to place Rogers on the bench so that his debut would be a quiet one. Turns out, it went better than expected because by the time Rogers got on to the pitch in the second half, the game had long been decided.

2. Sean Franklin opens up the scoring

The Galaxy wanted to apply pressure to a red-hot Seattle team early and often. In the 12th minute, Marcelo Sarvas and Robbie Keane teamed up to give Franklin an easy tap that easily beat embattled goalkeeper Michael Gspurning.

3. Robbie Keane gets hot early and often

The last time the Los Angeles Galaxy scored a natural hat trick was in the season opener against the Chicago Fire, when then-Galaxy midfielder Mike Magee did the work. This time, Keane got his own natural hat trick in the 24th, 34th and 44th minutes. They say good things come in threes. Well, in that case, great things do come in fours.

4. Gyasi Zardes frustrates Seattle back line

May 26, 2013; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Robbie Rogers (14) in action against the Seattle Sounders during the second half at Home Depot Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Forward Gyasi Zardes is set to get a lot of playing time this season. Matched up top with Robbie Keane, he ran wild an free against an overmatched Seattle Sounders back line.

The Sounders did well to prevent Zardes from scoring, but the way he created so much chances to score and was also aggressive enough to do some dispossessing means that this is a player that has a bright future ahead of him. Of course, he is young and will get a bit too cocky. Baldomero Toledo was sure to keep him in check with a yello in the 40th minute of play.

5. Marcelo Sarvas: Shalrie Joseph’s worst nightmare

This was a great night out for Sarvas in particular. In addition to an assist, his running and playmaking make Seattle look really slow. It got to a point where Shalrie Joseph had enough of his antics and gave him a good punch in the 87th minute, which was enough to give him his marching orders.

6. Excellent momentum heading into next road swing

The next road trip is massive, with trips to Cary, N.C.; Foxborough, Mass.; and Sandy, Utah against the Carolina RailHawks, New England Revolution and Real Salt Lake. This time, they head out of their road trip on a winning note and because of that, they have a lot of momentum and confidence. The objective for this Galaxy side is to take it one game at a time and see what happens from there.