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Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1 Philadelphia Union: L.A. Back in Business
Employers and government are no longer the only ones Union busting.
May 2, 2010 1:32:00 AM
By Jonathan Vera
CARSON, Calif -- It was perfect So. Cal. weather at the Home Depot Center and that's the way the Galaxy liked it as they welcomed the Philadelphia Union into the League with a smashmouth hazing in a 3-1 win. The ghost of Jimmy Hoffa was not among the 15,453 in attendance to support the Philly as the Galaxy busted the Union with a blast of first-half goals.
First Half
It did not take long for the Galaxy to tally one up on the score sheet. In the first minute of the match forward Edson Buddle received a pass from the greenhorn Michael Stephens in the half circle. Buddle rushed the area in the left flank; everyone on and off the field expected him to go for goal, but he instead fed it across the six to defender A.J. DeLaGarza, who redirected it into the net, leaving Union goalkeeper Chris Seitz rooted on the ground.
This was DeLaGarza's first goal of the season, and ranks up as the second-fastest goal scored in team history. The fastest goal belongs to Clint Mathis who in 1999 netted the ball in 33 seconds. DeLaGarza is the first person, other than Buddle, to score a goal for the Galaxy this season.
In minute 27, Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan, off a corner kick, found the noggin of fellow forward Alan Gordon, who careened it on target. Seitz made a sprawling save, but left it unprotected for the vultures. Buddle got the rebound, drove it back a yard and tried to back heal it in, only to have the ball blocked by a defender. Buddle persisted, got his own rebound and shotgunned it into the net, leaving Seitz bewildered as to why his defense couldn't clear.
In the 45th minute the L.A. found themselves in a 2-on-1 advantage. Donovan, with the ball, came down the right wing, while Buddle charged from the middle. Donovan delivered the ball to Buddle on a silver platter and Buddle burned a hole through the net with a sizzling finish.
About a minute later, Philly midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi committed a horrible tackle from behind on L.A. midfielder Juninho. A crowd gathered, and referee Yader Reyes reached for his pocket and gave Miglioranzi his marching orders.
Second Half
The Galaxy were a man up for the entire second half, but the Union did not break.
The Union's tactic was to come out hard and strong, hunting for goals; a claim suggested by their subs. Their entire sub slots consisted of forwards and midfielders.
The Galaxy dominated in ball possession throughout the second half. Their advantageous situation allowed them to play conservatively and allow the bench their shot on the field. Everything was peaches and ice cream for the Galaxy until the 84th mark when they got a little too confident.
Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez botched a move in the midfield and turned it over to Philly forward Fred. The Union attacked without remorse with a 3-on-2 advantage. Fred fed it to a storming forward Jack McInerney on the right wing and in the area; and the youngster went far post to net one for the Union, cutting the deficit to two.
Even after giving up the shutout, the Galaxy were just too much for the Union, who are in their inaugural season. Being shorthanded did not help them much either. L.A. showed that last week's feeble draw was a fluke as they went back to their winning ways.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
First Half
It did not take long for the Galaxy to tally one up on the score sheet. In the first minute of the match forward Edson Buddle received a pass from the greenhorn Michael Stephens in the half circle. Buddle rushed the area in the left flank; everyone on and off the field expected him to go for goal, but he instead fed it across the six to defender A.J. DeLaGarza, who redirected it into the net, leaving Union goalkeeper Chris Seitz rooted on the ground.
This was DeLaGarza's first goal of the season, and ranks up as the second-fastest goal scored in team history. The fastest goal belongs to Clint Mathis who in 1999 netted the ball in 33 seconds. DeLaGarza is the first person, other than Buddle, to score a goal for the Galaxy this season.
In minute 27, Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan, off a corner kick, found the noggin of fellow forward Alan Gordon, who careened it on target. Seitz made a sprawling save, but left it unprotected for the vultures. Buddle got the rebound, drove it back a yard and tried to back heal it in, only to have the ball blocked by a defender. Buddle persisted, got his own rebound and shotgunned it into the net, leaving Seitz bewildered as to why his defense couldn't clear.
In the 45th minute the L.A. found themselves in a 2-on-1 advantage. Donovan, with the ball, came down the right wing, while Buddle charged from the middle. Donovan delivered the ball to Buddle on a silver platter and Buddle burned a hole through the net with a sizzling finish.
About a minute later, Philly midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi committed a horrible tackle from behind on L.A. midfielder Juninho. A crowd gathered, and referee Yader Reyes reached for his pocket and gave Miglioranzi his marching orders.
Second Half
The Galaxy were a man up for the entire second half, but the Union did not break.
The Union's tactic was to come out hard and strong, hunting for goals; a claim suggested by their subs. Their entire sub slots consisted of forwards and midfielders.
The Galaxy dominated in ball possession throughout the second half. Their advantageous situation allowed them to play conservatively and allow the bench their shot on the field. Everything was peaches and ice cream for the Galaxy until the 84th mark when they got a little too confident.
Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez botched a move in the midfield and turned it over to Philly forward Fred. The Union attacked without remorse with a 3-on-2 advantage. Fred fed it to a storming forward Jack McInerney on the right wing and in the area; and the youngster went far post to net one for the Union, cutting the deficit to two.
Even after giving up the shutout, the Galaxy were just too much for the Union, who are in their inaugural season. Being shorthanded did not help them much either. L.A. showed that last week's feeble draw was a fluke as they went back to their winning ways.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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