Galaxy Show Depth In 4-2 Win Over Revolution
- Updated: May 9, 2016
The LA Galaxy went into Sunday’s match against the New England Revolution with several players missing due to injury and suspension. Among those out of the match were preseason signings Ashley Cole and Nigel De Jong. Jeff Larentowicz, who was signed from the Chicago Fire, earned a start in the midfield and played an important role in controlling the tempo of the match and breaking up play.
Bruce Arena also elected to start Mike Magee on the bench for the first time since his first start for the Galaxy this season, but the forward made an appearance as a substitute. Arena started Emmanuel Boateng, Sebastian Lletget, Giovani Dos Santos, Gyasi Zardes and Robbie Keane, who made his first appearance since returning from injury, and the level of play did not drop one bit.
The Galaxy scored quickly through Keane followed by a world-class strike from Dos Santos after solid work by Boateng on the left-wing. Keane managed to bag one more goal before the half, but the Revolution exposed the Galaxy’s defensive flaws in the second half.
Robbie Rogers replaced the suspended Cole in left-back and AJ Delagarza stepped in at right-back while Daniel Steres and Jelle Van Damme played alongside one another in center-back. Following the substitution of Keane, Kelyn Rowe and Juan Agudelo scored two goals within minutes of each other to cut LA’s lead to one.
Keane was substituted for Steven Gerrard, whose time at the Galaxy has not panned out as planned for the former Liverpool captain. Gerrard had a slow transition to the game, but came up big for LA as the Englishman scored a well-composed goal in stoppage time to wrap up the three points for the Galaxy.
The Galaxy’s roster is deep enough that LA were able to fix gaps in the usual starting eleven, and still manage to get a mainly convincing win. Even in-goal, with Dan Kennedy out early on in the season, Brian Rowe stepped up and has been nearly flawless between the pipes.
LA’s depth is fantastic this season, with players constantly stepping up in light of injuries and suspensions. With another match on Wednesday in Philadelphia, the Galaxy have little time to prepare, but the way the team is playing, another win would not be shocking.
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