Saturday, March 13, 2010

Galaxy and Chivas USA Play to 0-0 Draw

The LA Galaxy remained unbeaten in the preseason thanks to a 0-0 draw with Chivas USA this afternoon at The Home Depot Center. All 11 starters played the full 90 minutes for the Galaxy, who had the better of the chances for a majority of the match but nearly suffered their first loss of the preseason when Justin Braun got behind the LA defense in the 88th minute, only for Todd Dunivant to clear the ball off the line and keep the game scoreless.

Mike Magee and Bryan Jordan started up front for the Galaxy and the pair created a couple of solid chances in a physical opening 45 minutes, but Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy was equal on each occasion to keep the games scoreless at the break.

LA continued to mount pressure after the break with Jordan nearly capitalizing on an errant backpass, only to see his off balance shot saved once again. Yohance Marshall and Todd Dunivant each had opportunities to put the Galaxy in front off set pieces, but each saw their headers narrowly miss.

With just under 20 minutes left, Michael Stephens played an angled ball through for Magee, whose right-footed shot beat Kennedy but went just wide of the right post after he had been closed down by Chivas USA defender Emilio Viades.

As the game drew to a close, Chivas USA came close to grabbing a winner with Braun firing high over the crossbar from just outside the box with five minutes left on the click. Three minutes later, Dunivant was pressed into action when he raced back to clear away Justin Braun's late effort and assure a 0-0 finish.

LA is now 4-0-3 in the 2010 preseason, including a 2-0-2 mark against MLS opponents.

Galaxy Lineup: Saunders; Dunivant, Leonardo, Marshall, DeLaGarza; Birchall, Lewis, Stephens, Klein; Magee, Jordan.

Enjoy these photos from today's game...

7 comments:

charlesj27 said...

Great to know that the LA Galaxy are taking necessary steps to get our players better in readiness both in mind and in body for start of the new MLS season. Good job, Bruce and Dave - keep the players always mindful and hungry for their starting spots... get them the competition they require to stay in focus and in check of what they have to expect after the season starts. Although, kinda' bummed that we didn't get informed about this scrimmage against Chivas USA earlier.

charlesj27 said...

What are the statuses on Alan Gordon, Jovan Kirovski, and Clint Mathis? How far are they from playing test matches against MLS competition? I mean soccer cannot be played well and effectively oin a team format with only just stretching, fitness room, and drills.

Justin said...

Those colors should be our home jersey colors!
Yellow home and blue aways!

MEG said...

The yellow is UGLY

Unknown said...

Those yellow/navy kits are sweet, much better than the all whites with the horizontal yellow piping.

Now that Beckham has torn his achilles tendon, he should probably head back to LA to rehab. It a shame, he won't be able at the World Cup but this allows him to return to action for the Galaxy in the summer when more than likely half our old timers are injured.

Edge said...

love the jersey

Anonymous said...

Actually, the team did lose to US Soccer so they're not undefeated.