We Were #LALucky – LA Galaxy v Portland Timbers
- Updated: April 11, 2016
The LA Galaxy tied their game with the Vancouver Whitecaps last week. They have suffered from numerous injuries (Keane, Gio, Stevie, Leonardo, Larentowicz) and a lack of players creating goal-scoring opportunities. This week, they played the reigning MLS Cup Champions—the Portland Timbers. I have a hashtag for this game — #LALucky.
#LAGalaxy XI: Rowe; Rogers, Steres, Van Damme, Cole; De Jong, Husidic; Magee, Dos Santos, Lletget; Zardes #LAvPOR pic.twitter.com/A3Q3QgrtDa
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) April 11, 2016
Fans saw the return of Giovani dos Santos after missing three games. He last played in the season opener on March 6 against D.C. United.
LA started the first half with more aggression than I’ve seen so far this season. They saw the weakness of Portland’s defense. The Galaxy stayed in Portland’s side and took numerous shots. That finishing touch, however, just eluded them. Sorry, Gio and Zardes, but we need you to do better. Zardes suffered a lead foot again. I thought with Robbie Keane injured, Gio might have played better. He proved me wrong. Hopefully his goal-scoring mindset will return. He still needs to recover mentally and a bit more physically.
In the 8th minute, Robbie Rogers left the game. He took a hit while going for a header. Just a few minutes later, he went down again and clutched the same hip. With A.J. DeLaGarza out with an injury, Bruce put Rafael Garcia in for Rogers. The team told the media that Rogers has a hip contusion. I hope the recovery is fairly quick. We need him and AJ healthy again.
I like Rafa, but he just does not know the right back position that well. Dave Romney might have played better, but that’s speculative. In the second half, Rafa’s poor defending led to Fanendo Adi’s goal. Rafa failed to put decent pressure and Adi sent a rocket past Brian Rowe. Nothing he could do.
In the 73rd minute, Nigel De Jong made a hard, dangerous tackle on Darlington Nagbe. Do you think he received a yellow? Or did he deserve a red card?
Ouch! @LAGalaxy's Nigel de Jong goes in hard on @TimbersFC's Darlington Nagbe, emerges with a yellow card. #LAvPOR https://t.co/sQS1EQIUZI
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 11, 2016
We might see De Jong suspended after the MLS Disciplinary Committee reviews the video. I think he’s lucky he only received a yellow card.
Whoops! Nat Borchers heads Sebastian Lletget's cross into his own net to make it 1-1! #LAvPOR #SoccerSunday https://t.co/hDssTy33U4
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 11, 2016
That smile says it all. He knew what happened. Lletget crossed the ball and Borchers just happened to head the ball into his own net.
Thanks for the help, Borchers! #LAvPOR #LAGalaxy
— Patrick Salkeld (@PatSalkeld) April 11, 2016
Well, we finally created a goal scoring opportunity in our favor! #LAGalaxy #LAvPOR
— Patrick Salkeld (@PatSalkeld) April 11, 2016
Borchers tied up the game in the 84th minute. Luckily, the Timbers never scored again. Unfortunately, neither did the Galaxy.
I’m glad we earned a point, but we need more wins, especially at home. Home games should be easier to win you’re your fan base all around. Right now, the Galaxy sits in 4th place in the Western Conference. Consistently earning one point hurts us in the long run for the Supporters’ Shield and playoffs.
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