Galaxy Gets a Tie in Finale

Landon Donavan and the Galaxy couldn't find any magic.

Landon Donavan and the Galaxy couldn’t find any magic.

By Tim Peterson

(Carson) – The Galaxy and FC Dallas battled to a scoreless draw in the regular season finale Sunday before 27,167 at StubHub Center.

With the tie FC Dallas finished with 60 points with a 17-8-9 to capture the Supporter’s Shield given to the team with the best record in the MLS. FC Dallas will also have home field advantage throughout the playoffs which start this week.

The Galaxy finished at 12-6-16 overall with a total of 52 points. They took third in the Western Conference and will host Real Salt Lake in a playoff elimination game Wednesday night.

Atiba Harris had an early opportunity for Dallas FC but his shot that beat Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe hit the post.

Landon Donovan was issued a yellow card in the 31st minute for a tackle on Maximillano Urruti. Another yellow was levied against Tesho Akindele for a hit on Rafa Garcia.

Donovan sent a free kick in the front of the net late in the half but it was knocked away.

Ariel Lassiter got the start for the Galaxy.

Ariel Lassiter got the start for the Galaxy.

In the second half in the 59th minute Donovan received a nice pass from Raul Mendiola but his header was just wide.

Rowe made a nice save on a blast by Carlos Gruezo in the 60th minute to keep it scoreless.

Alan Gordon and Ema Boateng entered the match for the Galaxy in the 63rd minute but they still could not generate many chances.

Baggio Husidic came on for Garcia in the 76th minute.

Jeff Larentowicz went down with a head injury in the 78th minute and left the contest leaving the Galaxy with just 10 players the rest of the way. LA was already playing without Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane and Giovani dos Santos who were being rested by Head Coach Bruce Arena. Gyasi Zardes is also out with an injury.

Five minutes of additional time were added in the second half but neither team could score and it ended in a tie. The Galaxy finished with five shots overall and just one on goal. Dallas FC had 13 total shots with two on goal.

“It was important to play this game today and get on to the business of the playoffs. I congratulate Dallas on the Supporter’s Shield,” said Arena. “Real Salt Lake is a good team. It’s obviously a team we’ve seen before in the playoffs. We expect a tough match. As always any team you play in the playoffs is going to be ready to play.”

Game time for Wednesday’s playoff game is 7:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance: 27,167

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