Galloping Galaxy overrun Red Bulls on road
New York Red Bulls 0 Galaxy 1
Catch us if you can: Josh Saunders and the Galaxy showed why they are the class of MLS today in New York (AP Photo).
The Galaxy saw what happened to Seattle Saturday and made sure they didn't make the same mistake.
Instead a magnificent performance saw the visitors repulse the Red Bulls' fruitless second half attacks to ensure another crucial Mike Magee goal was enough for them to take a 1-0 lead in the two-game series ahead of Thursday's return leg in Carson.
Goalkeeper Josh Saunders played perhaps the game of his career superbly marshaling a bend, but not break defense and bringing off a crucial save in the game's waning moments to deny Rafa Marquez and preserve the win.
The goal was made by the soccer smarts of Robbie Keane, returning to the starting lineup from injury, who froze the opposition defense by being in an apparant offside position, but nonetheless made sure the referee knew he was not interfering with play.
Central defenders A.J. DeLagarza and Omar Gonzalez complemented each other to perfection, shutting down Luke Rodgers, who ended up being subbed out, and clearly frustrating Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez, whose stupid ball throwing routine after the final whistle appeared to sum up the liability he has been for New York this season.
Apparently both Marquez and Juninho earned red cards in the ensuing fracas ensuring that both will miss Thursday's decider. It didn't apppear to me that Juninho deserved the same punishment as Marquez.
Indeed, the performance of the Galaxy's designated players stood in stark contrast to their opponents. Keane, David Beckham and Landon Donovan all rolled up their sleeves and worked hard to track back and dispossess opponents and break up attacks when necessary.
It's only half time of a 180-minute game, but on this performance the gritty Galaxy can look forward to the luxury of coming home a goal to the good with optimism.
Watch:
More later.
3 Comments
Leave a comment
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.
Juninho and Marquez are both out, a bigger loss for LA.
Great win for LA, should have had more goals in the first half.
Pure hard work on a trashed field was (mostly) a pleasure to watch. Sanders and DLG had great games, the best I've seen them play. Each stopped two clear goals, the way I saw it.
Henry disgraced himself yet again by twice petulantly kicking Beckham after plays were over. I'm glad Marquez got red carded for his own petulance. I hope his late knee to DLG's head along the sideline didn't complicate DLG's concussion problems. They could use a couple more games like that from him.
Wow the Red Bulls without Marquez pose much more of a threat.