Joao Pedro fired a shot hat hit both uprights but didn’t find the net. (Photo by Duane Barker)
By Tim Peterson
(Carson) – The Galaxy had chances early, late and often but could never break through in a 0-0 tie with the Philadelphia Union Saturday night before 25,008 at StubHub Center.
“I thought we thoroughly outplayed the opponent. We possessed the ball well, moved the ball well and created plenty of goal scoring chances,” said Galaxy coach Curt Onalfo. “If one of those goes in early it’s a totally different game.”
The Galaxy were on the attack early. Romain Alessandrini and Giovani dos Santos both had chances in the first four minutes but were off the mark.
In the 21st minute LA’s Joao Pedro blasted one from distance that ricocheted off both posts before bouncing out. Philadelphia goal keeper Andre Blake made a great save on a rush by Emmanuel Boateng in the 32nd minute.
Jack McInerney came on late but couldn’t provide the spark the Galaxy needed. (Photo by Duane Barker)
The Galaxy continued to press the action as Pedro got off another shot in the 38th minute but it sailed high over the net.
Jelle Van Damme got called for a yellow card in the 45th minute. One minute of additional time added but the teams went into the break scoreless.
The Galaxy came out buzzing again in the second half. Jermaine Jones had a golden opportunity in front of the net off of a pass from dos Santos but his header was high over the crossbar in the 55th minute.
Five minutes later a shot right in front left Blake sprawling but the ball was knocked away.
Boateng got off a boot in the 62nd minute but Blake was again there to make the grab.
The Galaxy did everything except score in the second half.
The Union had a couple chances of their own later in the half including a blast by Haris Medunjanin that was knocked away by Brian Rowe.
Jack McInerney made his Galaxy debut substituting for Boateng in the 78th minute.
Three minutes of additional time were added to the second half but neither team could break through.
“It’s been a very frustrating difficult start for us. We’ve worked very very hard. It’s not been for a lack of effort. The results haven’t gone the way we would have liked them to go,” Onalfo said. “The guys put in a great effort and they fought all they way through.”
The Galaxy outshot the Philadelphia 13-8 overall but weren’t able to take advantage.
It was the second straight game that LA has been held scoreless and the third game this season that the Galaxy has been shut out.
The Galaxy are n0w 2-5-1 with the draw while the Union remained winless at 0-4-4.
Next up for the Galaxy is a home game next Saturday night against Chicago.
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