Juninho hammers home the game winning penalty kick.
By Tim Peterson
(Carson) – Juninho blasted home a penalty kick for LA in the seventh minute and it stood up the rest of the way in the Galaxy’s 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake Wednesday before 13,391 at StubHub Center.
The Galaxy had other opportunities in the first half but it was Junhino’s shot that made it home.
“Juny grabbed the ball and he wanted it,” said Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena. “He did a good job on the PK.”
Jose Villarreal looks to make something happen in the first half againts Real Salt Lake.
Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo made the goal stand up. He faced ten shots on goal overall but turned them all away. Real Salt Lake’s best chance may have been late in the contest but Omar Gonzalez made a sliding stop of a Salt Lake run just to the left of Penedo in the 87th minute.
“I think Jaime has done a great job the last couple of months for us,” Arena said.
Jose Villarreal missed wide left on a nice feed from Baggio Husidic late in the first half. In the second half Ignacio Maganto fired high over the head of Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando and over the net in the 66th minute. Robbie Keane appeared to be wide open on a break away in the 68th minute but was called for offsides.
Keane and Gyasi Zardes both had chances just before the end of regulation. Keane with a quick fake and then a blast that sailed wide left. Zardes hit the right post with a shot a minute later.
Four minutes of additional time was added and although Edson Budde hit one off the right post for the Galaxy neither team was able to score.
The Galaxy had 12 shots on goal overall. LA improved to 5-4-5 with the win while Real Salt Lake fell to 4-4-5.
Next up for the Galaxy is a road trip to New England on Sunday.
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