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Los Angeles Galaxy Lose To Real Salt Lake
The Utah team finally wins on the road this season, at the expense of the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Jun 14, 2009 6:22:46 AM
A lackluster Los Angeles Galaxy squad was missing more than star
players Landon Donovan and David Beckham in a 2-0 loss to Real Salt
Lake. LA also lacked midfield control, hustle on second effort and
discipline to ride out a tightly officiated match. RSL, however,
finally put all the pieces of their attack together to win on the road
for the first time this season
First Half
The Galaxy began the match in adequate fashion, creating a few valid opportunities in front of their home fans.
In the 7th minute, a corner kick by Mike Magee, punched out by Nick Rimando, but only as far as Galaxy midfielder Dema Kovalenko, who chipped the ball back into the box. Rookie defender Omar Gonzalez cracked a quality header on goal, but Rimando denied a goal with an excellent reflex save.
Perhaps a bit deflated with their near-miss, the Galaxy muddled a few other half-chances, but Real Salt Lake put forth the right finishing effort when their opportunity arrived.
The 13th minute was lucky for RSL as an excellent long pass from Clint Mathis opened up a breaking play for Yura Movsisyan, who ran onto the ball in the box, cutting the ball to a new direction so sharply that his defender, Eddie Lewis, fell over. That error gave Movsisyan the bit of daylight he needed, and he shot the ball quickly into the corner of the goal past Donovan Ricketts.
The Galaxy nearly responded with a goal of their own in the 15th minute. Kovalenko's hard shot from outside tested Rimando, who blocked the ball, but was unable to hold on to it. Lewis had the opportunity to poke the loose ball into the net, but instead, he shot into the fallen Rimando, who this time made sure to hold on to the ball.
The Salt Lake midfield, led by Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales, ran rampant over the Galaxy most of the game, denying Los Angeles much time on the ball to search for an equalizer.
Though the Galaxy improved a bit as time went on, it wasn't enough to draw level before the half drew to a close.
Second Half
Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis probably warned his team about suffering a let down in the second period, because though they were the team leading, RSL was active and lively from the start.
Soon enough, they were rewarded.
In the 51st minute, Mathis again put a dangerous ball into the Galaxy area off a freekick. An attempted clearing header by a Galaxy defender just grazed the ball, which fell invitingly for Nat Borchers, who poked the ball home.
The Galaxy had another quality chance to halve the deficit seven minutes later, when Edson Buddle put a header out of Rimando's reach. However, defender Jamison Olave was station on the goal line and managed to clear the ball away.
As the match started to get chippy, yellow cards began to fly.
In the 59th, Will Johnson and Clint Mathis both received a pair of cautions.
However, it was the Galaxy who had a player ejected when Eddie Lewis was given the maximum penalty for his irritated toss of the goal toward a freekick spot, which was exactly where Morales was lying down on the field after a hit.
Los Angeles still managed to create a few half-chances on goal, mostly through Buddle. But with the man advantage and a two goal lead, Salk Lake held on comfortably for the win.
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page!
First Half
The Galaxy began the match in adequate fashion, creating a few valid opportunities in front of their home fans.
In the 7th minute, a corner kick by Mike Magee, punched out by Nick Rimando, but only as far as Galaxy midfielder Dema Kovalenko, who chipped the ball back into the box. Rookie defender Omar Gonzalez cracked a quality header on goal, but Rimando denied a goal with an excellent reflex save.
Perhaps a bit deflated with their near-miss, the Galaxy muddled a few other half-chances, but Real Salt Lake put forth the right finishing effort when their opportunity arrived.
The 13th minute was lucky for RSL as an excellent long pass from Clint Mathis opened up a breaking play for Yura Movsisyan, who ran onto the ball in the box, cutting the ball to a new direction so sharply that his defender, Eddie Lewis, fell over. That error gave Movsisyan the bit of daylight he needed, and he shot the ball quickly into the corner of the goal past Donovan Ricketts.
The Galaxy nearly responded with a goal of their own in the 15th minute. Kovalenko's hard shot from outside tested Rimando, who blocked the ball, but was unable to hold on to it. Lewis had the opportunity to poke the loose ball into the net, but instead, he shot into the fallen Rimando, who this time made sure to hold on to the ball.
The Salt Lake midfield, led by Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales, ran rampant over the Galaxy most of the game, denying Los Angeles much time on the ball to search for an equalizer.
Though the Galaxy improved a bit as time went on, it wasn't enough to draw level before the half drew to a close.
Second Half
Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis probably warned his team about suffering a let down in the second period, because though they were the team leading, RSL was active and lively from the start.
Soon enough, they were rewarded.
In the 51st minute, Mathis again put a dangerous ball into the Galaxy area off a freekick. An attempted clearing header by a Galaxy defender just grazed the ball, which fell invitingly for Nat Borchers, who poked the ball home.
The Galaxy had another quality chance to halve the deficit seven minutes later, when Edson Buddle put a header out of Rimando's reach. However, defender Jamison Olave was station on the goal line and managed to clear the ball away.
As the match started to get chippy, yellow cards began to fly.
In the 59th, Will Johnson and Clint Mathis both received a pair of cautions.
However, it was the Galaxy who had a player ejected when Eddie Lewis was given the maximum penalty for his irritated toss of the goal toward a freekick spot, which was exactly where Morales was lying down on the field after a hit.
Los Angeles still managed to create a few half-chances on goal, mostly through Buddle. But with the man advantage and a two goal lead, Salk Lake held on comfortably for the win.
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page!
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