Galaxy Salvages Draw With Dynamo

Romain Alessandrini celebrates his game tying goal. (Photo by Duane Barker)

By Tim Peterson

(Carson) – There were six minutes of additional time added at the end of regulation Saturday night and the Galaxy took full advantage as Romain Aessandrini scored four minutes later to salvage a 2-2 tie with Houston before a sold out crowd of 25,667 at StubHub Center.

The Galaxy had fallen behind 2-1 in the 74th minute when Houston’s Alberth Elis rushed the net and jammed one by LA keeper Clement Diop. It looked like the Galaxy’s unbeaten streak was going to end at six as it stayed that way through regulation and into extra time. It appeared Alessandrini may have been offside on the play but after a review the goal was allowed to stand.

“We gave up an untimely goal but once again you’ve seen how we react when we get scored on. We find ways to get back in the game,” said Galaxy Coach Curt Onalfo. “I felt pretty good at halftime and I felt we were starting to settle. I felt we were going to win the game 2-1. It was unfortunate to give that second goal away but credit to them for a good finish.”

The Dynamo drew first blood when Mauro Manotas cleaned up a rebound off of a shot by DaMarcus Beasley in the 22nd minute for a 1-0 lead.

Emmanuel Boateng got behind the Dynamo defense in the 36th minute and beat goalkeeper Tyler Deric who came out too far to try to stop the push to even things at one.

One minute of additional was added in the first half but the teams went into the break tied at one.

Emma Boateng gets the Galaxy on the board in the first half. (Photo by Duane Barker)

The Galaxy was fortunate to be tied at halftime. They had only one total shot compared to six for Houston.

The Galaxy was buzzing early in the second half but Deric was able to hold them off twice making stops in front of the net.

In the 60th minute Jack McInerney was replaced by Jose Villarreal. In the 65th minute Ariel Lassiter came in for Gyasi Zardes.

After the Dynamo took the lead in the 74th. Diop came up big five minutes later making a huge stop off another drive by Elis. Ashley Cole followed that up with a diving save of an Elis blast.

Bradford Jamieson subbed for Rafael Garcia in the 83rd minute.

Numerous injuries in the second half led to the six minutes of additional time and Alessandrini’s equalizer.

The Galaxy is now 5-5-4 with the tie and has a seven game unbeaten streak. The Dynamo moves to 7-6-3.

 

 

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