LA Galaxy Continues Winless Streak against NYCFC
- Updated: August 20, 2016
Today the LA Galaxy played New York City FC in Yankee Stadium for the first time in history. The two teams clashed for only the second time since NYCFC joined Major League Soccer last season. The Galaxy continued its win-less streak (including U.S. Open Cup competition) today that started with a draw against the Seattle Sounders on July 31.
#LAGalaxy XI: Diop; DeLaGarza, Steres, Van Damme, Cole; De Jong, Husidic; Dos Santos, Gerrard, Zardes; Keane #NYCvLA pic.twitter.com/VV6ZlIjjYA
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) August 20, 2016
Clement Diop started in his first MLS Regular Season game today. Brian Rowe, the regular starter, suffered a head injury against the Colorado Rapids. Drop played well too, and showed that he is capable of filling in for Rowe. It further cemented Dan Kennedy’s status as a poor signing for the club. Honestly, Kennedy should retire after this season.
The first half reflected poorly on the LA Galaxy and the referees. The Galaxy had chances, but failed to capitalize on any of them. In the 5th minute, Ronald Matarrita took a shot on goal and Clement Diop deflected the ball. Unfortunately, it spun right behind him to David Villa who tapped the ball into the net. After watching replays, David Villa stood offside on Mattarita’s shot.
Oh dear… That is offside. HOWEVER! NYCFC lead LA 1-0! David Villa with the tally! pic.twitter.com/s7HspypPcu
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) August 20, 2016
Then Ashley Cole decided to play a different sport all together.
Remember that beach Ashley Cole talked about? Now he's playing volleyball on it. pic.twitter.com/MDAbqYXAak
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) August 20, 2016
New York showed much more strength and dominance than the Galaxy. The home team attacked continuously, which forced Gyasi Zardes to act more like a defender at times (yet Van Damme and DeLaGarza attacked quite a bit).
In the already narrow field, Daniel Steres offered NYCFC a prime goal-scoring opportunity. Yet, Diop made a major save against Villa with Jelle Van Damme covering goal just in case.
Not much changed for the LA Galaxy in the second half. Jelle Van Damme appeared to contribute the most to the Galaxy offense. If a defender offers more on offense than the midfielders or forwards, something is wrong. Once again, Robbie Keane barely touched the ball. He nearly scored off a mistake by Josh Saunders, but his header missed the wide-open net.
If the LA Galaxy want to win games, the team needs to change its midfield dynamics. They must create more goal-scoring opportunities.
Next week on Wednesday, the LA Galaxy travel to Illinois to play the Chicago Fire. How many points will they earn against the worst team in the league?
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