Saturday, June 26, 2010

LA Earns Draw in Toronto

LA Galaxy 0, Toronto FC 0
Saturday, June 26, 2010
BMO Field - Toronto, Canada

Scoring Summary:
LA – None
TFC – None

Misconduct Summary:
LA – None
TFC – None

Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Donovan Ricketts; Todd Dunivant, Gregg Berhalter©, Omar Gonzalez, Sean Franklin; Alex Cazumba (Clint Mathis 76’), Chris Birchall, Juninho, Michael Stephens; Tristan Bowen (Eddie Lewis 84’), Jovan Kirovski (Alan Gordon 66’).

Subs Not Used: Josh Saunders, A.J. DeLaGarza, Bryan Jordan, Chris Klein.

Toronto FC: Stefan Frei; Raivis Hscanovics, Nana Attakora, Adrian Cann, Dan Gargan; Jacob Peterson (Gabe Gala 71'), Amadou Sanyang, Martin Saric (Julian de Guzman 59'), Nick LaBrocca; Dwayne De Rosario, O'Brian White (Chad Barrett 46').

Subs Not Used: Jon Conway, Ty Harden, Maksim Usanov, Faud Ibrahim, Julian de Guzman, Gabe Gala.

Notes:
• With the tie, the Galaxy are now 10-1-3 on the season, leaving them with 33 points. They remain alone in first place in the Western Conference, nine points ahead of second place Real Salt Lake who have 24 points.
• Bruce Arena named the same starting XI with six of seven substitutes remaining the same as Leonardo replaced Bryan Jordan on the bench as he did on June 9 in Salt Lake.
• Leonardo made the trip to Toronto and for the first time since his injury dressed for the game. He has been out since mid-April with a right quad strain.
• In addition to Leonardo, the Galaxy were also without Dema Kovalenko and Mike Magee, who each remained in Los Angeles because of injury. Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan remain unavailable for selection while in South Africa with the U.S. National Team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
• This was just the first time this season that the Galaxy had used the same lineup in three consecutive games.
• With Landon Donovan in South Africa with the National Team, Gregg Berhalter wore the captain’s armband for the fifth consecutive game.
• Since MLS discontinued the shootout to decide games before the 2000 season, the Galaxy are 6-2-4 following their first defeat of the season. In the last six years, LA is 4-0-3 after their first loss of the season, outscoring opponents 12-4.
• The Galaxy remain unbeaten against the Eastern Conference this season. In six games against teams from the East, the Galaxy are 3-0-3 for 12 of their league-best 33 points. Dating back to the start of last season, the Galaxy have lost just once in 19 regular season games against the East, going 11-1-8, with the only loss coming at Columbus on September 26, 2009. LA have recorded 11 clean sheets in those 20 games and allowed more than one goal just twice.
• The Galaxy are 1-1-2 all-time in MLS games in Canada, after winning at BMO Field for
the first time ever last season, defeating TFC 2-1. Alan Gordon and Edson Buddle scored the goals in that game for the Galaxy’s first ever goals north of the border.
• The attendance for today’s game was 18,809.
The Galaxy’s quest for a third Open Cup title will begin on Tuesday, June 29 when they host AC St. Louis at 7:30 p.m. (PT) at The Home Depot Center.
• In MLS action, the Los Angeles will host their annual postgame fireworks show on the Fourth of July when they take on the Seattle Sounders FC at The Home Depot Center. That game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. (PT) and can be seen live on FS West.
• For more about today’s game, please visit www.lagalaxy.com.

1 comment:

charlesj27 said...

I'm still a bit deflated from us getting knocked out of the WC; but, clearly, Ghana had a wonderful second strike from Gyan in OT, while on the run under pressure. More than that, Ghana played with such speed and control and their passing was meaningful with intent on containing / maintaining possession and quickly recovering. Something that the USA team (style, techniques, and control) have yet to master... But, all things in time, I suppose. A lot of good lessons to be taken away from how USA played and from their opponents. A lot of bad calls/no calls/ wrong calls, too. Still, the USA team we had this WC was special; I really would have liked to see them advance to two more games before getting sent packing.
On that note, I truly believe if there's anyway MLS and LA Galaxy can allow Landon Donovan to keep his form, his technique, his ability to sharpness at the top most level... to allow him to go to EPL and play. That goes for many on our current USMNT team. They must play at the top most level to get enough experience and have the ability to handle hi-pressure situations / encounters calmly... to be in positions of play that help them to maintain control and posession for more periods of two halves.
It'll be really nice to have Edson back with us again. Landon is so much better now because of that tenure with Everton FC. I don't want to see his ability and sharpness drop or stay stagnant. He's gotta be challenged at a higher level to get the most and best out of him.
On our LA Galaxy, I just want Bruce, Dave, and Cobi to keep giving more instructions, more scrutiny, more tasks out of Tristan, Bryan, Alex, Leonardo, and, Juninho. And, then to press the veterans (Jovan, Clint, Eddie, Dema, and Chris) to be instructors and providers to them. It was a long break in the middle of our MLS season... and, the players need to challenge themselves to get back into game awareness, quickness, and tactics.