|
|
Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 Boca Juniors: Bowen's Late Goal Wins Friendly
Josh Saunders was tested with an array of shots and passed with an A+.
May 23, 2010 10:40:00 PM
By Jonathan Vera
CARSON, Calif. -- The Home Depot Center was the site of an international clash between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Argentina's Boca Juniors. The Argentine club has a veritable pantheon of honors consisting of FIFA Club World Cup trophies, Copa Subamericana titles, and 23 national championships. They obviously have a lot on their resume, but in the end LA's keeper Josh Saunders was too much for Boca's attack, and a late goal by Tristan Bowen in front of 18,268 fans sealed it for Los Galacticos 1-0.
LA played without Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle, while Boca's leading scorer, Martin Palermo, was absent. All three men had national obligation to take care of as they prepare in their respected countries for the FIFA World Cup next month.
For the Galaxy, it was a great opportunity for manager Bruce Arena to showcase his reserve talent and get some much need practice now that Donovan and Buddle are out of lineup.
First Half
It was back and forth play between both squads in the beginning of the first half. Right from the bat Boca went for the attack, and, as time went on, this matchup was anything but friendly. In the 15th minute, Boca defender and captain, Hugo Ibarra, was booked for a reckless foul on Galaxy forward Tristan Bowen.
Los Xeneizes almost took the lead with a canon shot from defender Luciano Fabian Monzon 35 yards out in the 25th minute. It was a unexpected shot from the left, but Saunders, light on his feet, dove to far post, but the blast sailed just wide.
Four minutes later LA were in prime range for a free kick -- just outside the 18. Forward Clint Mathis took the honors. The shot was on target and Boca goalkeeper Javier Garcia eyed it the whole time. In the last second the ball careened of a defender changing its trajectory; Garcia quickly got back into place to make the save.
The Argentine club was relentless with the attack, truly testing Saunders' goalkeeping prowess. In the 41st minute, midfielder Gaston Rossi rifled one from 25 yards out. Rossi put a little hot sauce on it, but Saunders came up with the save for a corner.
Second Half
Los Xeneizes had the first big opportunity of the second half. Boca was presented with a corner kick in the 53rd minute of play. The delivery made its way into the six-yard box, where visiting defender Ezequiel Munoz redirected it off his head and on target. Saunders made a leaping save sending the ball over the woodwork.
Boca midfielder Jesus Mendez exhibited his skills to the LA faithful in the 62nd minute as he bobbed and weaved into the area. Galaxy's Chris Birchall and captain Gregg Berhalter came from opposite sides to thwart a surging Mendez. The Argentine averted their defense and took the shot for a save by Saunders. As for Birchall and Berhalter, they collided and were down for an eight count. Arena quickly subbed them out.
It was late in the second and the Boca crowd were chanting to the rhythm of the drum, but a Galaxy goal in the 83rd minute silenced the stadium ... temporarily. Mike Magee stormed through the right flank and connected with Michael Stephens in the arena. A foresighted Stephens back-healed it to forward Tristan Bowen, who blasted past Garcia and into the net.
Boca Juniors were a very tough opponent for the Galaxy. They exhibited skills and uniformity the likes of which LA has yet to face this season. It was overall good soccer match on the pitch and the Galaxy will now travel to Columbus to face the Crew next week.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
LA played without Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle, while Boca's leading scorer, Martin Palermo, was absent. All three men had national obligation to take care of as they prepare in their respected countries for the FIFA World Cup next month.
For the Galaxy, it was a great opportunity for manager Bruce Arena to showcase his reserve talent and get some much need practice now that Donovan and Buddle are out of lineup.
First Half
It was back and forth play between both squads in the beginning of the first half. Right from the bat Boca went for the attack, and, as time went on, this matchup was anything but friendly. In the 15th minute, Boca defender and captain, Hugo Ibarra, was booked for a reckless foul on Galaxy forward Tristan Bowen.
Los Xeneizes almost took the lead with a canon shot from defender Luciano Fabian Monzon 35 yards out in the 25th minute. It was a unexpected shot from the left, but Saunders, light on his feet, dove to far post, but the blast sailed just wide.
Four minutes later LA were in prime range for a free kick -- just outside the 18. Forward Clint Mathis took the honors. The shot was on target and Boca goalkeeper Javier Garcia eyed it the whole time. In the last second the ball careened of a defender changing its trajectory; Garcia quickly got back into place to make the save.
The Argentine club was relentless with the attack, truly testing Saunders' goalkeeping prowess. In the 41st minute, midfielder Gaston Rossi rifled one from 25 yards out. Rossi put a little hot sauce on it, but Saunders came up with the save for a corner.
Second Half
Los Xeneizes had the first big opportunity of the second half. Boca was presented with a corner kick in the 53rd minute of play. The delivery made its way into the six-yard box, where visiting defender Ezequiel Munoz redirected it off his head and on target. Saunders made a leaping save sending the ball over the woodwork.
Boca midfielder Jesus Mendez exhibited his skills to the LA faithful in the 62nd minute as he bobbed and weaved into the area. Galaxy's Chris Birchall and captain Gregg Berhalter came from opposite sides to thwart a surging Mendez. The Argentine averted their defense and took the shot for a save by Saunders. As for Birchall and Berhalter, they collided and were down for an eight count. Arena quickly subbed them out.
It was late in the second and the Boca crowd were chanting to the rhythm of the drum, but a Galaxy goal in the 83rd minute silenced the stadium ... temporarily. Mike Magee stormed through the right flank and connected with Michael Stephens in the arena. A foresighted Stephens back-healed it to forward Tristan Bowen, who blasted past Garcia and into the net.
Boca Juniors were a very tough opponent for the Galaxy. They exhibited skills and uniformity the likes of which LA has yet to face this season. It was overall good soccer match on the pitch and the Galaxy will now travel to Columbus to face the Crew next week.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Make Your Prediction
Banfield - Boca Juniors
Banfield
Boca Juniors
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
Banfield 0-2 Boca Juniors
- 20 %
-
Banfield 0-3 Boca Juniors
- 13.75 %
-
Banfield 8-0 Boca Juniors
- 12.5 %
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.