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Galaxy Salvage Draw Versus Columbus Crew
The defending champions of Major League Soccer were very comfortable on the field where they won their title last season, but LA was eventually able to scrap for a draw.
May 17, 2009 7:20:02 PM
CARSON, Calif. --The Los Angeles Galaxy had trouble creating a goal versus the Columbus
Crew until they set up their rivals for one, but Bruce Arena's players
were then able to scramble for yet another draw in a 1-1 result.
It's perhaps not surprising that two squad who have made draws their trademark this season tied each other.
First Half
The Crew controlled most of the first half, though they didn't score until the second. Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers cracked a shot on goal in the 12th minute, but Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts parried well to save a goal.
The Galaxy followed up that escape with an attack on goal that nearly paid off. Landon Donovan, playing further back in the midfield, charged upfield and crossed well to the front of the goal, but Alan Gordon couldn't redirect on target.
For all that they were the visiting team, the Crew effectively kept the pressure on the Galaxy in the first half hour. The ball was usually in LA's end of the field and the team's improved defense this season was sorely tested by the Crew.
In the 21st minute, off a Crew corner taken by Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Chad Marshall struck an excellent header towards goal, but Ricketts reacted with an even better save on the line to deny him.
The match heated up as Eddie Lewis tackled Schelotto, but the yellow card was not given until over a minute later.
Lewis did not get the benefit of the doubt when he went down on the edge of the box in the 34th minute, though Galaxy players believed he had been pushed. Referee Alex Prus waved play on.
In the 39th minute, Eddie Gaven had another good Crew look at goal, but his shot was wide and high.
Another Galaxy counterattack when awry after Donovan received a cross and laid the ball off for Mike Magee - who stumbled slightly as he tried to shoot and sent the ball high and wide.
The midday heat seemed to be affecting the Southern California team more than their visitors, but the teams headed to the break even.
Second Half
"They need to get screamed at a little bit at halftime," coach Arena said of his players, trying to find a reason for the Galaxy's typical slow start.
Arena must have administered the prescription at full volume, because LA looked more lively.
On the first kick of the second half, Brian Jordan leapt for a high pass. Though he was able to head the ball, he collided dangerously with Crew defender Gino Padula, and was shown a yellow card.
That set the tone for a testy period, as Rogers was then shown a yellow for a grab of Jordan when he broke for goal on a counterattack.
Emmanuel Ekpo was down for a while in the 59th minute, though no card was given for a collision in the Galaxy box. Alejandro Moreno then fouled Lewis for another yellow.
The Crew continued to be a match for the improved Galaxy. Schelotto struck a curving shot from distance that Ricketts dived in vain for in the 63rd. Though the ball eluded the goalkeeper's grasp, it also bent too far from the top corner of the goal and went wide.
Schelotto then helped create another dangerous chance in the 70th minute, as his free kick deflected off the player wall and onto the crossbar, then bounced out to Brian Carroll. Carroll tried a quick poke into the net, but Ricketts got down well to scoop up the ball.
A sloppy defensive play was the undoing of the Galaxy only seconds later. Ricketts tossed the ball to substitute Tony Sanneh, who was pressured by a charging Schelotto. Sanneh tried to clear the ball, but struck it into the legs of the Argentine instead. Schelotto was able to control the ball and deftly finish past a helpless Ricketts.
The stunned Galaxy didn't seem able to recover from the gaffe, as the Crew sought a second goal. Carroll went wide on another shot three minutes later.
Finally, the Galaxy players were able to sustain an attack on the Crew goal, provoking a yellow card on Danny O'Rourke in the 86th minute for a tactical foul. Donovan, who had been quiet for most of the match, then helped turn the game on another one-on-one attack on O'Rourke, who saw his second yellow in three minutes for a reckless tackle that upended Donovan.
With a man advantage, the Galaxy pushed hard for a goal in stoppage time.
Omar Gonzalez launched a throw into the box, but it was cleared out. However, the ball fell kindly for Eddie Lewis, who wound up a kick from about 30 yards out and rocketed his shot into the net.
"That's why you stay outside of the box, hoping something will pop out," Lewis said. "It came out perfect. I just wanted to make sure I hit it well and as soon as I hit it, it was one of those where you just know it's going in."
Following the kickoff, the Crew were on the attack when Ricketts claimed the ball and struck a long kick to Jovan Kirovski, who was able to bring the ball down and get a kick towards the goal that was blocked out for a corner. The late flurry was for naught, however, as the Crew were able to hold the Galaxy off and secure the road draw.
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
Follow MLS action on Goal.com
It's perhaps not surprising that two squad who have made draws their trademark this season tied each other.
First Half
The Crew controlled most of the first half, though they didn't score until the second. Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers cracked a shot on goal in the 12th minute, but Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts parried well to save a goal.
The Galaxy followed up that escape with an attack on goal that nearly paid off. Landon Donovan, playing further back in the midfield, charged upfield and crossed well to the front of the goal, but Alan Gordon couldn't redirect on target.
For all that they were the visiting team, the Crew effectively kept the pressure on the Galaxy in the first half hour. The ball was usually in LA's end of the field and the team's improved defense this season was sorely tested by the Crew.
In the 21st minute, off a Crew corner taken by Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Chad Marshall struck an excellent header towards goal, but Ricketts reacted with an even better save on the line to deny him.
The match heated up as Eddie Lewis tackled Schelotto, but the yellow card was not given until over a minute later.
Lewis did not get the benefit of the doubt when he went down on the edge of the box in the 34th minute, though Galaxy players believed he had been pushed. Referee Alex Prus waved play on.
In the 39th minute, Eddie Gaven had another good Crew look at goal, but his shot was wide and high.
Another Galaxy counterattack when awry after Donovan received a cross and laid the ball off for Mike Magee - who stumbled slightly as he tried to shoot and sent the ball high and wide.
The midday heat seemed to be affecting the Southern California team more than their visitors, but the teams headed to the break even.
Second Half
"They need to get screamed at a little bit at halftime," coach Arena said of his players, trying to find a reason for the Galaxy's typical slow start.
Arena must have administered the prescription at full volume, because LA looked more lively.
On the first kick of the second half, Brian Jordan leapt for a high pass. Though he was able to head the ball, he collided dangerously with Crew defender Gino Padula, and was shown a yellow card.
That set the tone for a testy period, as Rogers was then shown a yellow for a grab of Jordan when he broke for goal on a counterattack.
Emmanuel Ekpo was down for a while in the 59th minute, though no card was given for a collision in the Galaxy box. Alejandro Moreno then fouled Lewis for another yellow.
The Crew continued to be a match for the improved Galaxy. Schelotto struck a curving shot from distance that Ricketts dived in vain for in the 63rd. Though the ball eluded the goalkeeper's grasp, it also bent too far from the top corner of the goal and went wide.
Schelotto then helped create another dangerous chance in the 70th minute, as his free kick deflected off the player wall and onto the crossbar, then bounced out to Brian Carroll. Carroll tried a quick poke into the net, but Ricketts got down well to scoop up the ball.
A sloppy defensive play was the undoing of the Galaxy only seconds later. Ricketts tossed the ball to substitute Tony Sanneh, who was pressured by a charging Schelotto. Sanneh tried to clear the ball, but struck it into the legs of the Argentine instead. Schelotto was able to control the ball and deftly finish past a helpless Ricketts.
The stunned Galaxy didn't seem able to recover from the gaffe, as the Crew sought a second goal. Carroll went wide on another shot three minutes later.
Finally, the Galaxy players were able to sustain an attack on the Crew goal, provoking a yellow card on Danny O'Rourke in the 86th minute for a tactical foul. Donovan, who had been quiet for most of the match, then helped turn the game on another one-on-one attack on O'Rourke, who saw his second yellow in three minutes for a reckless tackle that upended Donovan.
With a man advantage, the Galaxy pushed hard for a goal in stoppage time.
Omar Gonzalez launched a throw into the box, but it was cleared out. However, the ball fell kindly for Eddie Lewis, who wound up a kick from about 30 yards out and rocketed his shot into the net.
"That's why you stay outside of the box, hoping something will pop out," Lewis said. "It came out perfect. I just wanted to make sure I hit it well and as soon as I hit it, it was one of those where you just know it's going in."
Following the kickoff, the Crew were on the attack when Ricketts claimed the ball and struck a long kick to Jovan Kirovski, who was able to bring the ball down and get a kick towards the goal that was blocked out for a corner. The late flurry was for naught, however, as the Crew were able to hold the Galaxy off and secure the road draw.
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
Follow MLS action on Goal.com
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