Robbie Keane sets up the go ahead goal against FC Dallas.
By Ernesto Marinez Jr.
Ever since being traded to the Galaxy mid-season, Super-Sub Alan Gordon has found a knack for scoring valuable goals. Today was no different as his 85-minute header off a Robbie Keane cross gave the Galaxy a 2-1 comeback victory that secured a trip into the playoffs.
The Galaxy used an all out press throughout the first half to cause many FC Dallas turnovers, creating 10 attempts at goal. Keane was orchestrating the attack finding Juninho with a beautiful through pass in the third minute but Dallas’ Raul Fernandez came out of his line to deny him. Keane than gave Zardes a great opportunity in the ninth minute that Gyasi shanked right of goal. The clearest opportunity came in the 26th minute when Donavan took a Keane pass and fired from outside the box. Fernandez made a great save that landed in front of Zardes who’s point blank shot sailed over the crossbar.
Despite the Los Angeles domination, both teams went in the lockers scoreless. It looked like those missed opportunities would hurt the Galaxy in the second half when Blas Perez headed a cross past his fellow countryman Jaime Penedo and into the top corner giving Dallas a 54th minute lead.
Bruce Arena brought in Stefan Ishizaki for Baggio Husidic igniting an attack down the right flank. The attack culminated when Zardes found the ball in the box and laid it to Keane for the equalizer in the 62nd minute of play. L.A. continued attacking and Ishizaki found Zardes in the 69th minute, forcing an amazing save by Fernandez.
Gordon entered the game for Zardes in the 75th minute and should have given the Galaxy the lead in the 84th minute, but he completely mistimed a magnificent Donovan cross. He didn’t make that same mistake one minute later when he headed in the winner past Fernandez to shoot the Galaxy temporarily to the top of the standings in its chase of the Supporter’s Shield. Seattle Sounder’s 4-1 defeat in the hands of New York today now has LA and Seattle tied with 54 points. The Sounders have six games left and the Galaxy only five. The Supporter’s Shield winner could all come down to when the two teams meet each other in the final two games of the season.
Notes:
Los Angeles started the game with a 4-4-2 formation with Penedo at goal, Gargan, Gonzalez, Rogers, DeLaGarza in the back line, Donovan, Husidic, Juninho, and Sarvas in the midfield, and Zardes, and Keane up top.
FC Dallas will get its chance at revenge when the teams face each other in Dallas on October 12th.
Leave a Reply