Carson, CA -- On Friday, DC United visited the Home Depot Center for a matchup with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Galaxy would again be without Landon Donovan and Donovan Ricketts, both of whom are playing for their countries in the Gold Cup.
The Galaxy defense has been in a zone lately with shutouts in their previous three games against Chivas, Houston, and New England. And against DC, the stellar defense would continue. In the early minutes, Juninho and Omar Gonzalez would lead the charge, preventing DC United from getting into any kind of offensive rhythm.
The Galaxy offense would slowly get going with a 25-yard strike from Chris Birchall in the 13th minute that tested DC goalkeeper Bill Hamid. Also, David Beckham sent in quality crosses in the 14th and 18th minutes that put the DC defense on its heels.
One of DC United’s best scoring chances in the game came in the 25th minute when DC midfielder Andy Najar delivered a low cross to striker Josh Wolff. Wolff was unable to get his foot on the ball, which would have certainly resulted in a goal for DC.
DC United also earned a free-kick in the 43rd minute, but could not score, as the game would be tied 0-0 at halftime.
Early in the second half, DC’s midfielder Fred received a great pass from Wolff in the 51st that could have resulted in a breakaway for DC, but Fred’s first touch was not solid. Despite his reception of the ball, Fred created a quality shot for himself at the top of the 18 yard box and fired towards goal. Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders leaped to block the shot, but the shot went over Saunders and the far post.
The Galaxy would respond with crosses in the 55th and 60th minutes by Beckham and Sean Franklin respectively, however LA could not create any goals.
Josh Wolff of DC United would have another great opportunity to score in the 62nd minute when Wolff had the ball at his feet 5 yards away from goal after a thrown in ball made its way past the LA defense. Wolff shot and hit the side of the goal, leaving Wolff and his coach in disbelief.
In the 65th minute, Mike Magee of LA was fouled at the top of the 18-yard box and earned a free-kick. Beckham and the Galaxy attempted to fake out DC by having Beckham make a side pass for a shot on goal, instead of a trademark Beckham free-kick. The shot on goal was deflected, but it was one of LA’s finest scoring chances in the game.
DC United’s other best scoring chances came in the 81st minute when Charlie Davies sprinted past Gonzalez and received a through-ball as he was running towards goal. Davies had Gonzalez beat and Saunders made a bold charge towards Davies as he ran into the 18-yard box. Saunders dove towards the ball but Davies still had a clear shot on goal that he missed wide of the near-post.
LA would try to respond with passes by Dunivant and Beckham in the final minutes of the game, but it was not the Galaxy’s night for offensive production, as the game between the teams would end in a 0-0 tie and result in a fourth consecutive shutout for the Galaxy.
After the game, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena called the performance by his team “absolutely poor,” but stated that the Galaxy would have lost this game the previous year so this draw was a bright spot.
Defender Todd Dunivant stated that the team has no excuses, but that fatigue from having three games in one week recently might be a reason for the performance.
By Brian Kowalski
Staff Reporter for TheDailySportsHerald.com
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