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Los Angeles Galaxy 0-0 Toronto FC: Scrappy Match Produces Little
Preki returned to California in a tight, scrappy match.
May 16, 2010 12:42:00 AM
By Jonathan Vera
CARSON, Calif. -- A cold and cloudy night at the Home Depot Center greeted the 20,007 spectators who witnessed the scoreless standoff between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Toronto FC. In the World Cup send-off match of Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle, both teams were off on their game in passing and where it mattered most - the finishing.
First Half
TFC almost knocked in an early goal in the 8th minute when forward Chad Barrett flew past the Galaxy backline and challenged LA keeper Josh Saunders at the near post. Saunders, making his season debut in place of Donovan Ricketts (right elbow strain), made a diving save.
It was back and forth for over 25 minutes of play, but in the 33rd minute LA threatened with a throw-in on the 18 yard line. The toss made it into the area, where forward Edson Buddle connected with midfielder Juninho in the center left just outside the box. The Brazilian blasted it off the short bounce to the near post, but it sailed just wide of the net.
For the rest of the first half both sides struggled to put the finishing moves on a play. All the action, or in some cases inaction, was clustered in the center of the pitch with both sides fighting for possession.
Tempers started to flare and after 45 minutes of play the first half ended in a scoreless deadlock.
Second Half
The Reds found themselves in favorable situation in the 50 minute mark. Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez and Barrett raced towards the area after a cleared ball in the midfield. Before the ball entered the 18, Gonzalez went for a risky sliding clearance, but clipped Barrett instead. Gonzalez was booked by referee Jair Marrufo and the visitors were granted a free kick 19 yards away, but alas - nothing came of it.
From that moment on, the physicality of the match elevated with fouls being committed left and right.
In the 65th minute and LA could not have asked for a better play. The Galaxy attack came up the left flank with Buddle storming through the middle like a bat out of hell. The cross was made and Buddle, deep in the six, took it off the short hop only to have it bounce off the horizontal pipe. It was a close one, but the whole stadium heard the Reds' net-minder Stefan Frei breathe a sign of relief.
It was a frustrating match for the home side. LA dominated ball possession in the second half in what became a slobber-knocker. But right when their fans thought the Angeleno team was going to send one through the net, BAM, they somehow botched it.
Maxim Usanov was sent off late after collecting two yellow cards, the last one as Donovan was breaking in on goal.
This inauspicious performance poses a problem for the Galaxy, considering they'll be without Buddle and Donovan for over a month, maybe even two. However, next Thursday will be the true test when they take on FC Dallas in Texas.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
First Half
TFC almost knocked in an early goal in the 8th minute when forward Chad Barrett flew past the Galaxy backline and challenged LA keeper Josh Saunders at the near post. Saunders, making his season debut in place of Donovan Ricketts (right elbow strain), made a diving save.
It was back and forth for over 25 minutes of play, but in the 33rd minute LA threatened with a throw-in on the 18 yard line. The toss made it into the area, where forward Edson Buddle connected with midfielder Juninho in the center left just outside the box. The Brazilian blasted it off the short bounce to the near post, but it sailed just wide of the net.
For the rest of the first half both sides struggled to put the finishing moves on a play. All the action, or in some cases inaction, was clustered in the center of the pitch with both sides fighting for possession.
Tempers started to flare and after 45 minutes of play the first half ended in a scoreless deadlock.
Second Half
The Reds found themselves in favorable situation in the 50 minute mark. Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez and Barrett raced towards the area after a cleared ball in the midfield. Before the ball entered the 18, Gonzalez went for a risky sliding clearance, but clipped Barrett instead. Gonzalez was booked by referee Jair Marrufo and the visitors were granted a free kick 19 yards away, but alas - nothing came of it.
From that moment on, the physicality of the match elevated with fouls being committed left and right.
In the 65th minute and LA could not have asked for a better play. The Galaxy attack came up the left flank with Buddle storming through the middle like a bat out of hell. The cross was made and Buddle, deep in the six, took it off the short hop only to have it bounce off the horizontal pipe. It was a close one, but the whole stadium heard the Reds' net-minder Stefan Frei breathe a sign of relief.
It was a frustrating match for the home side. LA dominated ball possession in the second half in what became a slobber-knocker. But right when their fans thought the Angeleno team was going to send one through the net, BAM, they somehow botched it.
Maxim Usanov was sent off late after collecting two yellow cards, the last one as Donovan was breaking in on goal.
This inauspicious performance poses a problem for the Galaxy, considering they'll be without Buddle and Donovan for over a month, maybe even two. However, next Thursday will be the true test when they take on FC Dallas in Texas.
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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