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Galaxy Players Exult While Red Bulls Question Call
Only one goal separated New York and Los Angeles in their Saturday night match, so perhaps it was not surprising that the Red Bulls didn't agree with the penalty kick call.
May 3, 2009 2:17:07 PM
They didn't want to admit it before the match, but the Galaxy players
acknowledged the importance of their first victory in the 2009 season
after it was secured with a 1-0 result against the New York Red Bulls.
"Now we can say it publicly - this was a must-win for us," Chris Klein said. The midfielder was participating in the 300th game of his career and he noted the urgency the Los Angeles club felt. "We've had a number of home games and with two road games coming up, this was a must for us."
The victory, though it was ecked out by a single penalty kick goal, boosted team morale.
"We haven't won in a while, so it feels good," said defender Sean Franklin. "We want to take this win and take it into Salt Lake next week."
Players were noticibly relieved to shed the winless tag that the Galaxy had earned.
"When you're not winning games, you get a little frustrated," said Gregg Berhalter.
Despite not finding the net from the run of play, the Galaxy's improved consistency helped bring about the result.
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena praised in particular two players who weren't able to start the season with the team.
"An important part of our team in the defensive part of the field has certainly been Donovan Ricketts," said Arena of his goalkeeper, whose assured presence kept the defense calm as New York fought for an equalizer.
Ricketts congratulated all his teammates. "Any team needs a solid base. I came in, Gregg came in, Omar's been doing fantastic - I think we're just beginning to gel. It's not just me, it's the entire team."
One former New York player, Edson Buddle, was inspired against his previous club.
"Buddle had a really good game," Arena noted. "His presence up top, his ability to hold the ball was an important aspect of the game tonight."
New York coach Juan Carlos Osorio was left ruing the fact that New York has battled hard in recent games only to come up a little short every time.
"We certainly deserve a lot more points than we have at the moment," said Osorio.
Star forward Juan Pablo Angel gave the Galaxy's defensive effort credit.
"We came in strong in the second half; we fought for the ball," said Angel. "It was hard to break them in with eight players behind the ball, but they did well defensively, and they tried to keep the advantage that they had in the first half."
The two sides have combined for high-scoring affairs in the past, but that was not the case in this latest match.
"It was a really close game," Angel stated. "The penalty was questionable. I haven't seen the replay. I'd like to see it."
Galaxy striker Landon Donovan had no doubt, however.
"I looked at the linesman and he had his flag up right away," said Donovan. "He saw it and they made the right call."
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
Goal.com has coverage of all the action in Major League Soccer!
"Now we can say it publicly - this was a must-win for us," Chris Klein said. The midfielder was participating in the 300th game of his career and he noted the urgency the Los Angeles club felt. "We've had a number of home games and with two road games coming up, this was a must for us."
The victory, though it was ecked out by a single penalty kick goal, boosted team morale.
"We haven't won in a while, so it feels good," said defender Sean Franklin. "We want to take this win and take it into Salt Lake next week."
Players were noticibly relieved to shed the winless tag that the Galaxy had earned.
"When you're not winning games, you get a little frustrated," said Gregg Berhalter.
Despite not finding the net from the run of play, the Galaxy's improved consistency helped bring about the result.
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena praised in particular two players who weren't able to start the season with the team.
"An important part of our team in the defensive part of the field has certainly been Donovan Ricketts," said Arena of his goalkeeper, whose assured presence kept the defense calm as New York fought for an equalizer.
Ricketts congratulated all his teammates. "Any team needs a solid base. I came in, Gregg came in, Omar's been doing fantastic - I think we're just beginning to gel. It's not just me, it's the entire team."
One former New York player, Edson Buddle, was inspired against his previous club.
"Buddle had a really good game," Arena noted. "His presence up top, his ability to hold the ball was an important aspect of the game tonight."
New York coach Juan Carlos Osorio was left ruing the fact that New York has battled hard in recent games only to come up a little short every time.
"We certainly deserve a lot more points than we have at the moment," said Osorio.
Star forward Juan Pablo Angel gave the Galaxy's defensive effort credit.
"We came in strong in the second half; we fought for the ball," said Angel. "It was hard to break them in with eight players behind the ball, but they did well defensively, and they tried to keep the advantage that they had in the first half."
The two sides have combined for high-scoring affairs in the past, but that was not the case in this latest match.
"It was a really close game," Angel stated. "The penalty was questionable. I haven't seen the replay. I'd like to see it."
Galaxy striker Landon Donovan had no doubt, however.
"I looked at the linesman and he had his flag up right away," said Donovan. "He saw it and they made the right call."
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
Goal.com has coverage of all the action in Major League Soccer!
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