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LA Galaxy, Beckham Battle KC Wizards To Draw
It was a stunner of an opening goal by Claudio Lopez, but the final whistle found the two clubs deadlocked.
Jul 26, 2009 2:07:32 AM
Despite another David Beckham confrontation with a fan, the goals took precedence in an encounter that left the two teams level at a a goal apiece.
The Los Angeles Galaxy and Kansas City Wizards traded opportunities throughout the encounter.
First Half
Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman first denied a long-range shot by Galaxy midfielder Eddie Lewis in the 4th minute.
The LA attack kept up the pressure, as Hartman was forced into another impressive save on a shot by Landon Donovan in the 19th minute. Donovan was alone behind the defense six yards from goal and struck a hard-hit shot across his body looking for the back post. Hartman came flying off his line to block the shot out of play.
Though Bruce Arena's players had had the better of the early going, Kansas City took a 1-0 lead through a world-class strike off the foot of Argentine star Claudio Lopez.
As the Wizards defense cleared out a ball in the penalty area, the Galaxy's Omar Gonzales had his first touch fail him, and the ball popped out to Claudio Lopez.
The Argentine midfielder pounced on the ball, then took a chance on a stunning strike that traveled for half the field before dropping behind a leaping Donovan Ricketts and into the goal.
Ricketts was injured on the play, as he collided with the post, and he would eventually come off for backup Josh Saunders.
Los Angeles equalized in the 33rd minute when Donovan scored off an assist from Beckham. Though known for his long passes, Beckham won a midfield ball and dinked a short backheel pass for Donovan, who sprang forward into the open space of the field.
After a darting run, Donovan struck a low shot that eluded Hartman, finding the back post to tie the game 1-1.
Donovan nearly scored again from a Beckham feed in the 44th minute, but Hartman again stopped a wide-open Donovan from close range.
Second Half
Though both teams traded chances, the second half was notable mainly for Beckham, who the day before had been levied a thousand dollar fine by MLS for his earlier reponse to negative chants by fans in a Gaalxy friendly, again interacting with a sideline critic.
This time, Beckham ended up shaking hands with his antagonist, but after the match, Beckham confessed during an interview that he was disappointed that anyone wearing an England jersey (as this fan was) would behave the way that individual did.
Beckham also attempted a long-range chip of his own in the 82nd minute, but his half-field shot went high and wide of goal without troubling Hartman.
The Kansas City Wizards (5-6-6, 21 pts) next face FC Dallas in MLS Action, while the Los Angeles Galaxy (6-3-10, 28 pts) have an upcoming friendly match with Spanish giants FC Barcelona.
Goal.com
The Los Angeles Galaxy and Kansas City Wizards traded opportunities throughout the encounter.
First Half
Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman first denied a long-range shot by Galaxy midfielder Eddie Lewis in the 4th minute.
The LA attack kept up the pressure, as Hartman was forced into another impressive save on a shot by Landon Donovan in the 19th minute. Donovan was alone behind the defense six yards from goal and struck a hard-hit shot across his body looking for the back post. Hartman came flying off his line to block the shot out of play.
Though Bruce Arena's players had had the better of the early going, Kansas City took a 1-0 lead through a world-class strike off the foot of Argentine star Claudio Lopez.
As the Wizards defense cleared out a ball in the penalty area, the Galaxy's Omar Gonzales had his first touch fail him, and the ball popped out to Claudio Lopez.
The Argentine midfielder pounced on the ball, then took a chance on a stunning strike that traveled for half the field before dropping behind a leaping Donovan Ricketts and into the goal.
Ricketts was injured on the play, as he collided with the post, and he would eventually come off for backup Josh Saunders.
Los Angeles equalized in the 33rd minute when Donovan scored off an assist from Beckham. Though known for his long passes, Beckham won a midfield ball and dinked a short backheel pass for Donovan, who sprang forward into the open space of the field.
After a darting run, Donovan struck a low shot that eluded Hartman, finding the back post to tie the game 1-1.
Donovan nearly scored again from a Beckham feed in the 44th minute, but Hartman again stopped a wide-open Donovan from close range.
Second Half
Though both teams traded chances, the second half was notable mainly for Beckham, who the day before had been levied a thousand dollar fine by MLS for his earlier reponse to negative chants by fans in a Gaalxy friendly, again interacting with a sideline critic.
This time, Beckham ended up shaking hands with his antagonist, but after the match, Beckham confessed during an interview that he was disappointed that anyone wearing an England jersey (as this fan was) would behave the way that individual did.
Beckham also attempted a long-range chip of his own in the 82nd minute, but his half-field shot went high and wide of goal without troubling Hartman.
The Kansas City Wizards (5-6-6, 21 pts) next face FC Dallas in MLS Action, while the Los Angeles Galaxy (6-3-10, 28 pts) have an upcoming friendly match with Spanish giants FC Barcelona.
Goal.com
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