BY ADAM SERRANO
CARSON, Calif — The Los Angeles Galaxy got off to a roaring start in the CONCACAF Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Club Motagua in their group A opener on Tuedsay night at Home Depot Center.
Adam Cristman and Landon Donovan tallied for the Galaxy, but Los Angeles was wasteful in front of next squandering several opportunties to extend their lead over the Honduran club. With the victory, the Galaxy extended a 15-game unbeaten streak at the Home Depot Center, a place that they have not lost at this season.
Although the Galaxy picked up the victory, there was still a feeling that more could have been done against the Hondurans.
"They came and put us under pressure, we did a pretty good job of getting out of it and as the game wore on, you could tell we were the fresher team, we just wore them out over 90 minutes," said Donovan. "The goal is clearly to get points at home, we know that goal differential can come into play later and if there's anything to be critical of it's that we weren't clinicial in front of the goal."
Motagua put the Galaxy under pressure early, coming out playing an open game against the Galaxy. The Galaxy took the lead in the 13th minute when a Juninho pass unlocked the Motagua defense allowing right back AJ DeLaGarza to break free and send in a cross to the waiting Cristman. With the Motagua goalkeeper out of position, Cristman easily placed the ball into the net.
Los Angeles controlled the action for much of the match and broke through for their second in the 60th minute goal from Donovan. After a turnover in midfield by Motagua, David Beckham broke free and lashed a cross that fell to the Galaxy captain, who doubled Los Angeles' lead. Just ten minutes later, the Hondurans went down to 10 men after former MLSer Ivan Guerrero struck Sean Franklin in the chest with his boot.
In the 74th minute, the Hondurans had their best chance of the night as Jerry Bengtson found himself bgehind the Galaxy defense and fired a shot that forced a leg save by Saunders. The Galaxy goalkeeper was forced to make another sweeping leg save just moments later to quell Motagua's efforts. With five matches still to go, Motagua are aware that they must rebound from the loss at the Home Depot Center.
"We were lacking percision and clarity in what we were doing on the field, that allowed the Galaxy to get momentum," said Motagua head coach Ramón Maradiaga. "The home teams have the advantage in these group games, so we will have to adjust in our next match on the road."
With their victory, the Galaxy move to the top of Group A after the first match day as Costa Rican club Alajuelense defeated Morelia 1-0 in Costa Rica. Los Angeles will host the Costa Ricans next Thursday while Motagua travels to Mexico to face Monarcas.
"Teams are expected to win at home, it could be very interesting," said Donovan. "There's not a lot that seperates these four teams so it's going to be an interesting game next week, but it's one that we have to win."
Here are the match highlights:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbTRz_CQ0Gk]
I was on the opposite end of the field so all I knew was Saunders made the some decent saves around the 70th minute, but looking at the highlights… WOW. If this were league play, he’d be a shoe-in for save of the week.
minus the ‘t’
Yup, and according to the Honduran gentlement sitting near me, it’s pronounced “Motagua Basura.”
thought the Galaxy controlled play most of the game, dictated possession, etc., even though Montagua is good and skilled.
looking forward to the game down there
Donovan is on fire! He was on fire versus Mexico and he was on fire last night!
I love to see him playing like this. No one can take the ball away from him and he is soooo cool in front of the net!
those were some of the best saves I’ve seen anywhere this year. In any league. Amazing!
Wow, from the highlights reel it looks like it was a great game.
thats… Motagua, “Montaqua” sounds like some alternate reality US state.
i think he called it the most important game of the year. all the teams want to be like RSL and try to win it now.
Arena finally put out a 1st String lineup. What a change from last year. It looks like MLS is in it to win it this time around.
Wow the Galaxy keeper made some great saves.
Great match save for the De Jong flashbacks.
Open, attacking, fun match to watch. Galaxy had many scoring chances. But Montaqua was no slouch either. Where LA was counter attacking with long balls, Montaqua was beautiful & confident in controlled play with short precise passing. They wasted at least 2 great chances right in front of goal, and really could have had many more. They seemed strangely passive when they got to the final third. Score could have been LA 5-2 over Montaqua. With the quality of Montaqua, it’s gonna be a much different game in Honduras.