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Eskandarian's Debut Goal Gives Galaxy Win Over Revs
The Galaxy are on their first win streak of the year, with yet another 1-0 victory.
Jul 5, 2009 2:07:49 AM
CARSON, Calif.--Débutante Alecko Eskandarian scored the lone goal in a dour match as the Los Angeles Galaxy won 1-0 over the New England Revolution. Eskandarian, acquired from cross-town rivals Chivas USA midweek, only started because Alan Gordon suffered a calf strain in the pregame warmups.
Landon Donovan missed the game through illness, while the Revolution continue to do without nearly half its team. Steve Nicol could name only four fit players on the bench, one of whom was Champions League winner Edgaras Jankauskas, who made his Major League Soccer debut.
First Half
Alecko Eskandarian announced his attentions as early as the fourth minute. Mike Magee curled in a corner which found the débutante unmarked on the six yard line, but his looping header sailed high.
Four minutes later, he struck. When a Jovan Kirovski cross was headed out, Todd Dunivant collected. The fullback swung in a service from deep and Eskandarian split two defenders to sidefoot the ball into the far corner. The former Chivas USA striker was the first Galaxy player to score on his debut since his strike partner on the day, Edson Buddle, did it in 2007.
LA continued to enjoy the better chances in the early going. In the 16th minute, a deflected Eddie Lewis cross nearly caught out Matt Reis in the Revolution goal, and Kirovski couldn't capitalize on the scraps.
The game was played at a pedestrian pace, with neither team showing any spark. The only player who looked interested for New England was Sainey Nyassi. First, the Gambian collected the scraps from a corner and curled the ball back in the box, where Pat Phelan tamely headed on net. Next, Nyassi exchanged swift passes with Michael Videira at the top of the box, wiggling free to snap a shot that Josh Saunders parried.
Between those two chances, Kirovski carved out another at the opposite end. A slick pass by Dunivent gave Kirovski some space, and the former San Jose Earthquake crossed to an open Omar Gonzalez in the box. However, the rookie couldn't beat Reis from eight yards out.
Second Half
The most excitement in the tepid game came from Kenny Mansally. Not from his play, however, but from his relationship with the Galaxy fans. Early in the first half, he engaged in a spirited argument with Kirovski directly in front of the LA Riot Squad. From then on, whenever the Gambian touched the ball, the stadium booed him. Even when he stomped on a balloon that had floated onto the pitch, the crowd jeered.
Six minutes into the second half, Mansally was at it again. Shortly after picking up a yellow card for a striker's tackle, he punched the ball with his hand. A Jeff Larentowicz free kick had trickled through to him at the far post, but Mansally couldn't reach it with his head, and so tried using his fist. He was endearing himself to the crowd well.
The came continued its grinding pace until veteran substitutions livened it up after the hour mark. Chris Klein offered hustle and determination to the Galaxy midfield, and Edgaras Jankauskas offered a physical presence up front for the Revs.
Klein had the best chance of the half with eight minutes left in regulation time. An A.J. DeLaGarza cross found him unmarked at the far post, but his header was kept out by Matt Reis' swift recovery. The Revolution 'keeper had to back-tread again from the resulting corner to tip Dunivant's looping header over the crossbeam.
A scrappy end to the game didn't have any effect on the final scoreline, however, and so the Galaxy collected its second win on the trot.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
Landon Donovan missed the game through illness, while the Revolution continue to do without nearly half its team. Steve Nicol could name only four fit players on the bench, one of whom was Champions League winner Edgaras Jankauskas, who made his Major League Soccer debut.
First Half
Alecko Eskandarian announced his attentions as early as the fourth minute. Mike Magee curled in a corner which found the débutante unmarked on the six yard line, but his looping header sailed high.
Four minutes later, he struck. When a Jovan Kirovski cross was headed out, Todd Dunivant collected. The fullback swung in a service from deep and Eskandarian split two defenders to sidefoot the ball into the far corner. The former Chivas USA striker was the first Galaxy player to score on his debut since his strike partner on the day, Edson Buddle, did it in 2007.
LA continued to enjoy the better chances in the early going. In the 16th minute, a deflected Eddie Lewis cross nearly caught out Matt Reis in the Revolution goal, and Kirovski couldn't capitalize on the scraps.
The game was played at a pedestrian pace, with neither team showing any spark. The only player who looked interested for New England was Sainey Nyassi. First, the Gambian collected the scraps from a corner and curled the ball back in the box, where Pat Phelan tamely headed on net. Next, Nyassi exchanged swift passes with Michael Videira at the top of the box, wiggling free to snap a shot that Josh Saunders parried.
Between those two chances, Kirovski carved out another at the opposite end. A slick pass by Dunivent gave Kirovski some space, and the former San Jose Earthquake crossed to an open Omar Gonzalez in the box. However, the rookie couldn't beat Reis from eight yards out.
Second Half
The most excitement in the tepid game came from Kenny Mansally. Not from his play, however, but from his relationship with the Galaxy fans. Early in the first half, he engaged in a spirited argument with Kirovski directly in front of the LA Riot Squad. From then on, whenever the Gambian touched the ball, the stadium booed him. Even when he stomped on a balloon that had floated onto the pitch, the crowd jeered.
Six minutes into the second half, Mansally was at it again. Shortly after picking up a yellow card for a striker's tackle, he punched the ball with his hand. A Jeff Larentowicz free kick had trickled through to him at the far post, but Mansally couldn't reach it with his head, and so tried using his fist. He was endearing himself to the crowd well.
The came continued its grinding pace until veteran substitutions livened it up after the hour mark. Chris Klein offered hustle and determination to the Galaxy midfield, and Edgaras Jankauskas offered a physical presence up front for the Revs.
Klein had the best chance of the half with eight minutes left in regulation time. An A.J. DeLaGarza cross found him unmarked at the far post, but his header was kept out by Matt Reis' swift recovery. The Revolution 'keeper had to back-tread again from the resulting corner to tip Dunivant's looping header over the crossbeam.
A scrappy end to the game didn't have any effect on the final scoreline, however, and so the Galaxy collected its second win on the trot.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
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