AJ DeLaGarza & Brian Rowe: Heroes of SEA vs. LA
- Updated: July 9, 2016
After last week’s wild win against the Vancouver Whitecaps, the LA Galaxy played the Seattle Sounders. They faced each other for the first time this season, and will meet again on July 20 for a U.S. Open Cup match and on July 31 for another regular season game. The Sounders currently sit in 10th place for the Western Conference and 18th for the Supporters’ Shield. Without Brian Rowe and A.J. DeLaGarza, today’s Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy game might have ended in a tie or a Seattle win.
The Galaxy missed Ashley Cole and Nigel De Jong today due to a hamstring injury and a red card, respectively, and Robbie Rogers while he continues to recover from his ankle surgery.
#LAGalaxy XI: Rowe; DLG, Steres, Van Damme, Romney; Husidic, Larentowicz; Dos Santos, Gerrard, Zardes; Keane #SEAvLA pic.twitter.com/knP4CzM4Rt
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) July 9, 2016
Both Robbie Keane and Jeff Larentowicz scored last game. Who scored today?
At the start of the game, Keane nearly put LA up 1-0. Jelle Van Damme passed an excellent through ball to him. Unfortunately, Stefan Frei saved Keane’s shot.
On the other side, the Sounders kept Brian Rowe quite busy. He made some excellent saves in the first half. If not for him, the Sounders might have scored two goals.
Robbie Keane finally scored in the 15th minute. Gyasi Zardes set him up perfectly. After a long pass from Dave Romney, Zardes ran towards the loose ball, just barely reached and passed it in time to Keane. The Irishman shot the ball and bounced it off the crossbar to go past the line.
LA led the Seattle Sounders 1-0 at the end of the first half. The score might have easily been higher for both sides.
In the second half, the Sounders appeared to attack more than the Galaxy. Yet, the LA defense stayed strong. Rowe made more great saves, but A.J. DeLaGarza won the save of the match against Jordan Morris.
OM(AJ)G! https://t.co/Im5FTMGTOW #SEAvLA pic.twitter.com/8aP8Seqa75
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) July 9, 2016
Rowe later made a one-handed save against Clint Dempsey. It for sure prevented a tie.
In the final 15 minutes of regular time, the Sounders pressured LA and continuously forced the defense to retreat towards Rowe. Seattle desperately needed a point today. Their desperation almost ended when the referee nearly called a penalty kick on Romney. Lucky for the Galaxy, he denied a foul occurred.
A great 1-0 win for the @LAGalaxy! @AJD_20 is my man of the match for that tremendous save against Jordan Morris. #SEAvLA @CaliSportsnews
— Patrick Salkeld (@PatSalkeld) July 9, 2016
Next Friday the Galaxy play the Houston Dynamo on UniMas. Can the LA Galaxy continue this 2-game winning streak?
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