The Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles Galaxy should be well acquainted by the time the final whistle blows on the evening of July 7th.

The MLS Western Conference rivals will have played twice in a span of four days.  The first game is in accordance with regular scheduling and takes place July 4th, at Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Due to the fact that the teams are both in the hunt for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup competition, their quarterfinal contest just happens to be three days later on July 7th at Starfire Complex in Tukwila, Washington, which the Sounders use as their regular training facility.

Last season, the Sounders used a trip to face the Galaxy as an opportunity to establish momentum and get back into the competition for a playoff spot, which they eventually gained in their first full season.

This season, things look tougher considering that the Green Rave are in the midst of their first three-game skid of the season and stand in seventh place in the Western Conference with a mark of 4-7-3 and 15 points.

As for Los Angeles, this week Bruce Arena was named to coach the MLS All-Stars in the All-Star Game scheduled July 28 in Houston against Manchester United.

Arena’s great success this season with the L.A. team makes his selection justified and expected.  The Galaxy leads MLS teams with a glossy 10-1-3 mark and 33 points, nine more than the Eastern Conference leader, the Columbus Crew.

It is true that the Galaxy has lost one game and been tied in another in its last two MLS contests against Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC without scoring a goal, but that is misleading in that the team’s two leading scoring threats were unavailable due to U.S. World Cup team activity.

The number nine is a lucky number for the Galaxy.  At the time, their two superstars— Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle left for South Africa to join the U.S. team, they headed the MLS in assists and goals respectively at that figure.  Upon their return, they still rank first in those capacities.

Perhaps, the Sounders will draw a break, and neither Donovan nor Buddle will play?

One should not count on that eventuality.  An impressive looking art advertisement has been showcased by the Galaxy concerning the July 4th match with the exclamation, “They’re back!”

It is unlikely that L.A. management would allow such an ad to be displayed with its apparent blessing, if the dynamic duo would spend the entire game on the bench.  This would not be a good way to build trust with the team’s fan base.

On the other hand, it is debatable how much time Donovan and Buddle will see.  It could come down to how close a match occurs on the Carson pitch.

The issue of the game’s closeness focuses attention on the first meeting between the two teams this season on May 8th at the Xbox pitch of Seattle’s Qwest Field.  After securing a 1-0 halftime lead, the visitors blitzed the Sounders with three goals over a 15-minute span for a 4-0 shutout win.

Donovan had a luminous afternoon with three assists and a goal, his first of the season, with the MLS’ leading scorer receiving the assist.

In order for the Sounders to improve on that performance, it will be necessary to accomplish something that the team was unable to do last week in a 3-1 road loss to Philadelphia Union.  Seattle looked listless and was unable to play the type of possession soccer that it has achieved when victorious.

The Sounders were unable to clear the ball when it was near their own goal.  After clearing efforts, the ball would promptly end up back in the hands of Philly.  Philadelphia is tied for last with D.C. United in the Eastern Conference while L.A., as mentioned, has the finest record in the MLS.

In order for the Sounders to be competitive with the Galaxy in the two contests next week, it is necessary to get the ball into the possession of Freddie Ljungberg, their player with the most impressive international resume, alongside goalkeeper and captain Kasey Keller.

Ljungberg received an insufficient number of possessions against Philadelphia to utilize his talents as a dangerous midfield wingman.

He needs to be able to drive into goal territory, where he can deliver crosses to speedy attackers Fredy Montero and Steve Zakuani.  Such efforts can deliver set piece opportunities as well as goal threats.

It is imperative for the Sounders to possess the ball for a reasonable period of time for defensive purposes as well.  The more opportunities the team of Donovan and Buddle receive, the tougher it will be for the Sounders to win.

It must also be remembered that Donovan is one of the most dangerous set piece artists in all of soccer.

In the overtime win, 4-3 on penalty kicks by the Sounders at the Portlandt Timbers Wednesday night in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open competition, Ljungberg was well rested, while Montero and Zakuani, including overtime, played approximately 60 minutes each.

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