Sounders lose to L.A. Galaxy: Hear from the coaches, players

The Seattle Sounders' 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday wasn't so bad because of the score. The game was painful because of blown chances and injuries.

Forward Eddie Johnson left with a tight hamstring, and Sounders at Heart fears that it could be a lingering problem as the Sounders open their playoff series at Real Salt Lake on Friday. Jeff Parke also took himself out of the game, but it is less of a concern and more of a precautionary measure. Said head coach Sigi Schmid, per Sounders at Heart:

"I think we are ready for the playoffs, tonight has to be a good motivator. Sometimes when you get slapped a little bit toward the end of the season it can be a good thing because it reminds you of how that feels and it is a feeling that you don't want to have come back. I think this team definitely has what it takes to make a run at the championship."

Johnson said after the game that his hamstring cramped up after making some long runs early on. While the injury wasn't as bad as initially feared, he still could miss Friday's game. Schmid said Johnson should be good "for sure" by the second game in the series, according to Heraldnet.com.

Sounders midfielder Brad Evans said that Seattle had good looks at the net against Los Angeles, but couldn't convert. So too did the Galaxy against the Sounders, he said:

"They catch you on a break and both teams like to counter attack, so it's going to happen in this game. We were prepared for it and I think that both defenses made good saves, keepers made good saves. I think we were unlucky not to finish a couple of our chances."

Evans added that capitalizing off those opportunities will be "the name of the game," especially come Friday's playoff bout.