Galaxy Draws on Dynamo

Robbie Keane scores early on a breakaway.

Robbie Keane scores early on a breakaway.

By Tim Peterson

(Carson) – All of the scoring took place in the first 11 minutes. Robbie Keane scored for LA on a break away in the 3rd minute and Nathan Sturgis responded for Houston eight minutes later, but that was all she wrote as the Galaxy battled to a 1-1 tie with the Dynamo Saturday night before 19, 087 at the StubHub Center. 

The Galaxy had plenty of shots at Houston but Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric kept making saves and keeping LA at bay.

“We weren’t real sharp tonight. That’s a game we should have won going away. We lost too many battles,” said Galaxy coach Bruce Arena. “But give Houston credit they played well. I thought their goalkeeper did a good job.”

Alan Gordon came close but couldn't provide the late match magic.

Alan Gordon came close but couldn’t provide the late match magic.

Keane had a golden opportunity in the 48th minute when he received a pass from Stefan Ishizaki on a platter but fired it high over the net.

In the 71st minute Miko Vayrynen, who came off the bench, rifled a shot from distance but Deric made the grab in front of the net. The Galaxy kept applying pressure in the second half. Keane got off a blast in the 80th minute but Deric came up big again.

Keane got things started early for the Galaxy when he took control after a Houston possession and went the distance. Deric came out to stop him but Keane let it fly. The ball deflected off of Deric and rolled into the net.

The momentum was taken away however on Sturgis’ goal in the 11th minute. David Horst found Sturgis alone in front of the net and he punched it in to tie it at one.

“Robbie Rogers lost his man on that corner kick and it turned into a goal,” Arena said. “When you score early and the other team scores ten minutes later (eight) it takes away what we’ve done.”

Alan Gordon tried to get one by Deric late in the contest but was again thwarted.

Four additional minutes were added but the Galaxy still couldn’t come up with the game winner.

Jaime Pinedo was in goal and other than the early score he was solid in the nets for the Galaxy.

“I didn’t like a whole lot tonight. We weren’t very good,” Arena added.

The Galaxy had 10 shots on goal overall compared to six for the Dynamo. Houston had five corners to 4 for LA.

The Galaxy (1-0-2) will travel to D.C  United next Saturday while the Dynamo (1-1-1) are home against Colorado.

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