Recap of May 31, 2015 Match: LA Galaxy vs. New England Revolution

(Photo via Twitter User @LAGalaxy)

Rematches of championship games usually elicit expectations of revenge upon the winners or high amounts of tension between the two teams—and this match was no different. The game between the LA Galaxy and the New England Revolution on May 31, 2015, featured rain, entertainment, and the quest for at least one point.

Starting Lineups and Substitutions

Since I don’t subscribe to cable and the LA Galaxy match was on Fox Sports 1, I received Twitter updates about it while I attended a game between the Energy FC and the Austin Aztex (excellent match by the way!). My first reactions, after I read that Charlie Davies blew past Oscar Sorto and almost scored barely seconds into the game, were that the Revolution definitely sought revenge—and it scared me. The Galaxy just started a two-game winning streak after a disheartening loss to Orlando and several matches of lackluster draws. To see this spurt of energy falter might have dampened a lot of hope. The team desperately needed a win, or at least a tie.

The New England Revolution drew first blood only five minutes later when Teal Bunbury scored a shot from the back post. Oscar Sorto failed to provide adequate coverage of Teal Bunbury, which allowed the Revolution player to sneak behind the defense. Unfortunately, the lack of experience in the Galaxy’s defense has contributed to many of the goals against them. We’ve seen it happen to Tommy Meyer, Robbie Rogers, and now to Oscar Sorto.

Luckily, Ignacio Maganto’s hunger for a goal continued in this game. During this match, it all started with a pass from Baggio Husidic to Jose Villarreal who demonstrated his excellent footwork as he danced around two Revs and passed the ball directly between them back to Husidic. He slightly whiffed the ball after it deflected off Jose Goncalves, but there stood Maganto inside the half circle at the top of the box. Maganto let the ball bounce once and then one-timed it into the back of the net! An excellent strike from the young player and his very first goal in what should be a highly productive Major League Soccer career!

Gyasi Zardes scored the LA Galaxy’s second goal almost ten minutes later. Maganto crossed the ball to Villarreal just above the top of the box. Once again, Villarreal showed awesome footwork and nutmegged Goncalves with a backheel technique to Zardes. He neatly shot the ball past Bobby Shuttleworth to give the Galaxy the lead…but not for long.

In the thirty-seventh minute, the Revolution earned a free kick. The Galaxy lined up a wall as Diego Fagundez and Juan Agudelo decided who would take it. Fagundez ended up kicking the ball and placed it just barely out of Jaime Penedo’s reach to equalize the scoreboard.

Unfortunately, the Galaxy’s injured list lengthened after this match. Jose Villarreal left the game early with a left shoulder injury, and Bruce Arena replaced him with Alan Gordon. However, Arena later subbed Edson Buddle in for Gordon because he needed to leave due to a knee injury. Dan Gargan also suffered a leg injury of sorts and Mika Vayrynen went in for him. Turf could be to blame for all three injuries, but it’s inconclusive. According to MLS’s injury report, neither Gordon nor Villarreal have been designated questionable, but we will have to wait and see what this week brings. The list left out Gargan, which could be good or bad.

The Next Match

On June 6, 2015 (Saturday), the LA Galaxy will play against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC—their second matchup. The Galaxy will be without Jaime Penedo, Robbie Keane, and Gyasi Zardes as they have been called up for international duty with the Panamanian National Team, the Republic of Ireland National Team, and the United States National Team (Go USA!), respectively. Bradford Jamieson is also still with the U-20 USMNT participating in the U-20 FIFA World Cup in New Zealand. I’m hoping these absences will not impact the game too much.

Also, according to the MLS injury report, Todd Dunivant, Robbie Rogers, and A.J. DeLaGarza are no longer listed as questionable, and like Gargan’s status—this could be good or bad (hopefully good). Will we see these three players return to the field at least as substitutes?

Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things LA Galaxy and the rest of the LA sports teams! All Cali, all the time!

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