Final: Galaxy-Puntarenas FC
Galaxy 1 Puntarenas 0
Puntarenas midfielder Ricardo Garcia and Galaxy defender Alex Cazumba vie for the ball in Wednesday's exhibition game at Titan Stadium in Fullerton (AP Photo).
The second 45 minutes was better than the first and the Costa Ricans probably had the better of the chances with speedy counter attacks that caught the Galaxy back four flatfooted on several occasions, until Chris Birchall scored a late goal in the 88th minute from outside the box. UCLA product Michael Stephens provided the assist on the give and go with Birchall on his Galaxy debut.
Indeed, the visitors had a goal disallowed for offside in the 52nd minute and it appeared to some of us in the press box goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts used his hands outside the box - and got away with it - to prevent what could have been a dangerous cross.
Jose Macotelo for Puntarenas also had a 13-yard shot go over the bar in the 77th minute.
Who impressed for the Galaxy?
Well, Tristan Bowen was fairly industrious up the right flank, looking sharp and threatening on occasion.
Temple City's Bryan Jordan came on for Eddie Lewis and had two good shots at goal, the first a stinging, low drive in the 65th minute, one minute entering the game.
Birchall also had a strong, low shot with the final kick of the game from 25-30 yards out the goalkeeper needed to tip around the post to prevent a second late goal.
Not much else stood out; we'll see what Bruce Arena has to say about the performance.
Updated:
In case you were wondering, Jovan Kirovski and Alan Gordon sat this one out with minor knocks.
Puntarenas did indeed field what was essentially their first team in the second half, hence their better effort.
BTW, the Galaxy finished with 20 shots on goal, Puntarenas six.
"We needed to play a little quicker tonight," Arena said. "We needed to play a little sharper in the last third."
But overall, Arena said he was glad for the run out, observing the playing time for the younger players on the field was valuable.
Said Birchall: "It's more pleasing we're playing good soccer and our passing game has improved."
Complete game story here.
Next for the Galaxy: El Salvador's CD Aguila at 5 p.m. March 21 at Home Depot Center. Tickets start at $15.
A fan fest including a State of the Galaxy address by Arena, a Galaxy equipment sale, and beer garden runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Lot 13.
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
Not sure what you mean by a better second half than first Nick. If you meant the visitors had the better of play I agree but Galaxy were the superior team in the first half. Tremendous work by Juninho/Dema/Tristan and yes even Eddie in the middle when the ball was moved on the ground with great attacking forays by Alex out of the left back position. Lots of well taken long shots and a whole bunch of good crosses.
The main problems were the numerous mindless long boots the length of the whole field by Ricketts and erand passing by Berhalter out of the back. The other problem which I was afraid of the most was with our twin non-strikers of Magee and Buddle. The diminuative Magee was spending more time in the center of the box trying to get to a lot of decent crosses coming in than Buddle. Buddle on the other hand seemed like he was still in his last season mode of helping on the wings than concentrating on using his strength and size in the box. He handled the ball well in the corners but was resorting to silly flips and touches than hanging on to the ball where it mattered the most - at the top of the box. LA should have been up 3-0 at the half with better finishing.
Second half was a total disaster by LA when the improved midfield play by the Costa Ricans destroyed LA's compuser. But they suffered from the same disease as LA in not finishing their chances and giving LA a shot at pulling off a win at the end.
Bottom line: LA STILL NEEDS HELP ON TOP, A LOT.