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Early Courtois strike enough to see Galaxy beat Metapan, move one point from CCL knockout phase

Laurent Courtois

Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

The LA Galaxy moved one step closer to the knockout phase of the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday thanks to an early strike from Laurent Courtois.

Courtois found the back of the net six minutes into the Galaxy’s group match against El Salvador’s Isidro Metapan and that was enough for a 1-0 victory at StubHub Center on Wednesday night.

Bruce Arena deployed a starting lineup comprised of only reserves, and the hosts got off to a dream start when Courtois scored off a well-taken strike from the left side of the penalty area. From there, the Galaxy’s defense did the job in front of a crowd of 6,211.

The victory gave the first-place Galaxy control of Group 8. LA needs only a point out of their next two matches, the final two in the group, to secure the top spot and advance to the next round of the tournament.

LA first plays against second-place Costa Rican side Cartagines on Sept. 25 and then at Isidro Metapan on Oct. 24.

Here are the match highlights:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyKRRqG4K9M?feature=player_embedded]

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What do you think of the LA Galaxy’s 1-0 win over Isidro Metapan? Surprised Bruce Arena with all reserves at the start of this one? Think the Galaxy have the depth to go far in this tournament?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

    • Messi would have chipped the keeper for a goal. But Zardes cintinues to show promise and just needs a little seasoning. And with Villareal and McBean the Galaxy have some very promising young attackers.

      Reply
  1. Considering they play Seattle on the weekend Saving Keane, et al for the MLS game is a necessary move.Having a good enough reserve team that allows you to do this is an important reason the Galaxy have won two MLS Cups while competing in the CCL. Keeping starting players relatively fresh at the season crunch time is paramount.

    I was also surprised and Happy the ConCaCaf games are being broadcasted on the Fox Sports Network.

    Reply
    • But, but, but, “the Gals have no depth!” That’s the common refrain I read over at MLSsoccer.com any time the Gs lose or draw. I’ll accept the argument that LA is not the deepest team in the league, but considering the squad that won yesterday was essentially the same Galaxy reserve squad that won the reserve league Western division title last year, it’s silly to call the team shallow.

      Reply
    • I’m also glad the game was on Fox Sports and I knew about it only because it was mentioned during the CL broadcast earlier in the day. The LA Times said it wasn’t on any TV; that shows how little attention is paid by the mainstream press. At least the Times had a story on the game in today’s paper. They often ignore the Open Cup games and CCL games.

      Reply

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