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Galaxy dominate in 3-1 win Against RSL in MLS Cup Playoffs opener

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It was win or go home for the Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake in the knockout round of the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs, and the match did not disappoint.

The Galaxy commanded the entire match from kick off to full-time with a promising performance in the scope of the overall playoff picture. The Galaxy bagged goals quickly and thanks to a man-of-the-match performance from Emmanuel Boateng, the Galaxy clinched a spot in the Western Conference semifinals.  

For LA, the lineup did not feature Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes, who is still out with an injury. Center back Jelle van Damme wore the captain’s armband for the Galaxy, and the Belgian had a quiet night as the Galaxy controlled a majority of possession.

 

The Galaxy started extremely well and earned a deserved goal through Alan Gordon. Starting with a cross on the right wing from Landon Donovan, the ball was flicked on at the front post by Giovani Dos Santos’ head and Gordon smashed home the ball from close range.

 

Salt Lake needed to respond or else LA could pull the game out of reach from the visitors. RSL did respond but with a controversial penalty converted by Joao Plata.

The 1-1 scoreline did not stay for long as the Galaxy’s Emmanuel Boateng made up for his error on the penalty call by making an inspired run through the center channel and around multiple RSL defenders en route to a tap in finish.

Boateng did not stop there. The former UC Santa Barbara player went on to score a second goal, his fourth career goal for the Galaxy, which have all come against RSL.

In a somewhat similar fashion, Boateng streaked down the right side and curled a shot around Nick Rimando and into the side netting to give the Galaxy a cushion 3-1 lead.

LA continued to push on in what proved to be a completely dictated first half. LA led 3-1 in what was an impressive performance in the first 45 minutes.

In the second half, LA kept the foot on the gas pedal and attacked; however, Alan Gordon went down with a non-contact injury which summoned Robbie Keane to come in off the bench.

RSL struggled to challenge the Galaxy defensively, and only troubled Brian Rowe in-goal on the occasional deep shot from Kyle Beckerman. Rowe dealt with balls crossed into the box and the Galaxy backline.

LA had a chance to increase its lead in the second half on a free kick from Dos Santos, but the Mexican’s attempt nicked the top of the wall, but the Galaxy earned a corner from the play.

Los Angeles had 60 percent possession in the 84th minute, according to the UniMás broadcast, which shows how much the Galaxy controlled the tempo and entirety of the match.

RSL came close in the 85th minute when Rowe was nearly caught off his line in a lobbed attempt from a Beckerman header hit the crossbar and the rebound from Yura Movsisyan was blocked by Robbie Rogers’ back. RSL had one more chance in stoppage time but the attempt from 10-yards out was blocked before it got to Rowe.

Donovan got his curtain call as Jeff Larentowicz, who decided to play with a head injury, came on for the final several minutes of the match.

Los Angeles held on with ease and got the job done. Now, the Western Conference semifinal against the Colorado Rapids for LA as the Galaxy continue its race for seis.

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