LA Galaxy give up late equalizer, settle for Cali Clasico tie

Giovani dos Santos, left, has scored five goals in four games heading into Wednesday's game with Philadelphia. (Thomas R. Cordova-Southern California News Group)

Giovani dos Santos, left, pictured against New England, scored the Galaxy’s only goal against San Jose. (Thomas R. Cordova-Southern California News Group)

The Galaxy snapped their scoreless streak, but couldn’t shake their other bad habit of allowing late goals.

After Giovani dos Santos ended the team’s 371-minute scoreless streak in MLS play with a goal assisted by Steven Gerrard in the 69th minute against San Jose on Saturday, Chad Barrett answered in the 90th minute with a header off a free kick to force a 1-1 draw at Stanford Stadium.

For the sixth time this year, the Galaxy allowed a goal in the last 15 minutes of the match. The Earthquakes have scored a goal in last 15 minutes against the Galaxy all three times the California rivals have played this season, with L.A. going 1-0-2 in those matches. The Galaxy have not won in MLS competition since May 8, going winless in their past seven matches.

The L.A. offense generated several chances and had six shots on goal. Gerrard missed a header just wide and had another shot in the post.

Ashley Cole was sent off for a foul and abusive language in second-half stoppage time, thus suspending him for the next MLS match. Jelle Van Damme picked up a yellow card, so he, too, will miss the next match due to yellow card accumulation.

Head coach Bruce Arena told reporters the team will likely appeal Cole’s red card.

After a U.S. Open Cup match against Portland on June 29, the Galaxy continue MLS play against Vancouver at home on July 4.

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Galaxy game day: LA tries to snap six-game winless streak in Cali Clasico

The Galaxy's Jack McBean battles for possession with Isidro Metapan's Milton Molina during the first half Wednesday night in Carson. (Will Lester/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

The Galaxy’s Jack McBean battles for possession with Isidro Metapan’s Milton Molina during the first half Wednesday night in Carson. (Will Lester/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

The Galaxy are on a six-game winless streak and sit fourth in the Western Conference with 22 points. L.A., struggling with injuries and international duty, has not scored in 302 MLS minutes.

Bruce Arena has yet to start the same lineup in consecutive games 15 matches into the MLS season. Jack McBean will likely figure into the lineup Saturday against San Jose after an impressive performance against Colorado.

The Galaxy have only one road win on the season and have lost their past two matches away from StubHub Center. After an encouraging 1-1-1 start on the road, L.A. has dropped to 1-3-3. San Jose is undefeated at home.

Game Day #caliclasico

A photo posted by Giovani Dos Santos (@oficialgio) on

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Galaxy scoreless in last 302 MLS minutes

Gerrarddebut

Steven Gerrard returned to the lineup after missing two games due to a hamstring injury.

More than three whole games have passed since the Galaxy last scored a goal in MLS play.

Although the Galaxy have some dangerous moments, they amounted to nothing against the No. 1 team in the Western Conference in a scoreless draw against Colorado at home. The team hasn’t scored in 302 minutes of MLS play, stretching back to a goal from Mike Magee in the 58th minute against Montreal on May 28. L.A. is winless in six straight games.

“We’ve got to look dangerous, that’s not an achievement,” midfielder Steven Gerrard said. “We need to go a step further and start creating better chances and taking them chances and getting goals. … We’ve got to win ASAP.”

The Western Conference’s highest-scoring home team has two consecutive scoreless draws at StubHub Center. A Galaxy player hasn’t scored at home since May 8 as all the team could muster in that time has been an own goal against San Jose.

“They’re not terrible results, but you start sliding down the table,” defender Dave Romney said of the ties at home. “And that’s definitely not what we want to be doing going into the summer.”

 

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Jack McBean inks first-team deal with LA Galaxy

Forward Jack McBean signed a first-team contract with the LA Galaxy.

Forward Jack McBean signed a first-team contract with the LA Galaxy. Photo courtesy LA Galaxy.

The L.A. Galaxy announced the signing of forward Jack McBean on Wednesday, calling the Galaxy II forward up after he previously signed a short-term contract with the team. He was named Los Dos’ MVP in 2015 and currently leads the USL with 12 goals.

“Jack has continued to developed on the field as a member of LA Galaxy II,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said in a statement. “He is still a young, talented player that we think will contribute to our team as he continues to grow. His signing is another testament to the benefit and success of LA Galaxy II.”

McBean, 21, was the youngest player in team history to play, start and score a goal for the Galaxy when he did so at 16. He signed a homegrown contract in 2011, but struggled with injuries and couldn’t get playing time with the first team. Since signing with Galaxy II in 2015, he has scored 18 goals. He captained the side this season.

“Last year he was with us the whole season, he established himself, created rhythm, created chances, scored goals and he really grew as a player,” Galaxy II head coach Curt Onalfo said of McBean at the beginning of the USL season. “You can see where you get consistent play, you can continue to improve. When you play day in and day out, you can get much better.”

McBean is the fourth player to sign with the L.A. Galaxy from Galaxy II, joining defenders Dave Romney and Daniel Steres, forward Ariel Lassiter and goalkeeper Clement Diop.

 

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Galaxy game day: Pride Night, first-place Rapids come to StubHub Center

pride

The LA Galaxy host their third annual Pride Night on Wednesday when first-place Colorado comes to town.

Defender Robbie Rogers will miss the game after undergoing ankle surgery. He is expected to miss six weeks. Rogers had surgery in the offseason due to bone spurs, but Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said the latest operation was on the other ankle.

L.A. is on a five-game winless streak and hasn’t scored in 212 MLS minutes. The team was prepared to lose Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes to international duty, but was also struck by injuries to Steven Gerrard and Giovani dos Santos, further damaging the attacking unit.

“We haven’t clicked really well lately,” midfielder Baggio Husidic said. “That’s just working out and trying to improve and work at it in training and take our opportunities when we get them.”

The Galaxy did not take advantage of their chances in a 1-0 loss to Toronto FC on Saturday, including a shot that midfielder Sebastian Lletget sent wide of the net when he had the goalkeeper one-on-one. L.A. took 10 shots against Toronto, but only put two on goal.

“I don’t think (the chances) are as open as we’re used to having them, but I do think that we have chances,” Lletget said. “I don’t think we’re not creating chances.”

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LA Galaxy held scoreless for second straight game

Toronto FC teammates celebrate Drew Moor's goal against the LA Galaxy during second half MLS soccer action in Toronto on Saturday June 18, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker

Toronto FC teammates celebrate Drew Moor’s goal against the LA Galaxy during second half MLS soccer action in Toronto on Saturday June 18, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker

The L.A. Galaxy failed to score for a second straight MLS game as the team lost 1-0 in to Toronto FC on Saturday. It is the fifth straight winless game for the Galaxy in MLS competition and third loss of the year

Along with Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes, who are on international duty, L.A. (5-3-6) was also missing Steven Gerrard and Giovani dos Santos due to injury. Gerrard missed his second straight game due to a hamstring injury, while dos Santos has a quad injury. Without their offensive stars, the Galaxy mustered only two shots on goal.

Defender Robbie Rogers also missed the game due to an ankle injury.

“What are we doing in the final third, that’s not ending in a good result or whatever it may be,” defender A.J. DeLaGarza said. “Guys are moving off the ball, our passing is not very great at the moment. We haven’t won a game in quite some time so that is going to be a good test for this group on Wednesday against the best team in the league.”

Drew Moor scored the game-winning goal in the 76th minute. It’s the first time this season the Galaxy have given up a game-winner in regular time, with the team’s other two losses both coming in stoppage time.

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LA Galaxy trying to snap 4-game winless streak

Galaxy midfielder Mike Magee says the team isn’t playing poorly overall — just an inopportune times. (Ringo H.W. Chiu/The Associated Press)

Galaxy midfielder Mike Magee says the team isn’t playing poorly overall — just an inopportune times. (Ringo H.W. Chiu/The Associated Press)

After a two-week break for Copa America Centenario, the L.A. Galaxy are again presented with their four-game winless streak in MLS play. L.A. picks up its MLS season with a game Saturday at Toronto FC where there is an intriguing Gio battle: the Galaxy’s Giovani dos Santos vs. Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco.

While L.A. has only two losses on the year, the team is buried in the bottom half of the Western Conference rankings. Hot starts from other teams in the ultra-competitive Western Conference and mental miscues have cost the Galaxy several points in the first third of the season.

A slow start is nothing new for the team, but this year’s beginning doesn’t necessarily fit completely into the team’s pattern of slow starts, forward Mike Magee said.

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LA Galaxy score controversial goal in U.S. Open Cup win

Dave Romney (left) and Sebastian Lletget celebrate the would-be game-winning goal against La Maquina on Tuesday that came in controversial fashion. (Photo by Stephanie Romero and Jon Lorentz // LA Galaxy)

Dave Romney (left) and Sebastian Lletget celebrate the would-be game-winning goal against La Maquina on Tuesday that came in controversial fashion. (Photo by Stephanie Romero and Jon Lorentz // LA Galaxy)

The L.A. Galaxy used a controversial goal to break a 1-1 tie against amateur side La Maquina during overtime of Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup game at StubHub Center as Baggio Husidic sent a quick free kick over to Dave Romney while players from both teams were standing idly by after a foul. Romney scored on an open net while his teammate Jose Villarreal was lying on the ground.

Deadspin called it a “cheap, fake goal.” Husidic, Romney and Sebastian Lletget agreed that there was some controversy to the goal, but said it was just a heads-up, legal play.

Husidic said he confirmed with the referee that there would be no whistle, then passed it out to Romney, who hesitated before he finished the shot. It was the defender’s first goal of the season with the first team, but Romney admitted he would have liked it to come under better circumstances. Continue reading “LA Galaxy score controversial goal in U.S. Open Cup win” »

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U.S. men’s national team wins Copa America Group A

United States' Clint Dempsey (8) reacts after scoring against Paraguay during the first half of a Copa America Group A soccer match Saturday, June 11, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

United States’ Clint Dempsey (8) reacts after scoring against Paraguay during the first half of a Copa America Group A soccer match Saturday, June 11, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

One week ago, the U.S. men’s national team was facing elimination. By Saturday night, the United States topped its group.

With a 1-0 win over Paraguay and Costa Rica’s stunning 3-2 win over Colombia, the Americans locked up not only their first Copa America quarterfinal berth since 1995 (and second ever) but also the top spot in Group A. This is the first time the United States has ever advanced out of the group stage at a major tournament after losing the first game.

The United States will play the runner up from Group B, either Brazil, Peru or Ecuador, in Seattle at CenturyLink Field on Thursday in the quarterfinals. Continue reading “U.S. men’s national team wins Copa America Group A” »

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Dodgers’ Adrian Gonzalez meets with Mexican national team

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez met with the Mexican national soccer team before the team's Copa America Centenario game against Jamaica on Thursday. (Photo courtesy @miseleccionmx/Twitter)

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez met with the Mexican national soccer team before the team’s Copa America Centenario game against Jamaica on Thursday. (Photo courtesy @miseleccionmx/Twitter)

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez met the Mexican national team in Los Angeles before the team’s Copa America game against Jamaica at the Rose Bowl on Thursday.

See the Mexican-American baseball player’s meet-and-greet with the team via Facebook live.

El Tri clinched a spot in the quarterfinals as Javier Hernandez scored to pull within one of tying Mexico’s all-time scoring record.

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