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Zardes equalizer brings Galaxy and Chivas to tepid draw

GyasiZardes2 (ISIPhotos.com)

Photo By ISIPhotos.com

By MARK EDWARD HORNISH

CARSON, Calif. – The second Superclasico of the season ended in an uninspired 1-1 draw between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA before a crowd of 19,756 — almost none of them wearing the venerable rojiblanco shirts that once proliferated at Superclasico matches in L.A.

Errick Torres and Gyasi Zardes traded first half goals, and the remainder of the evening saw the Galaxy frustrated as multiple chances missed the mark as Chivas USA was content to bunker in and play for the draw.

“It was not a good game for us,” said Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena after the game. “I give Chivas credit. We squandered a few chances. Obviously, conceding a goal isn’t the smartest way to play the game.  There were chances to get a few more goals. At the end of the day, that’s the game. We didn’t connect.”

Zardes headed home a Marcelo Sarvas cross to draw the Galaxy even in the 35th minute.

“I saw the cross and it was a short defender who was playing me and I knew I could just get over him and get it on frame,” Zardes said. “It feels wonderful getting a goal.”

Sarvas returned to the starting eleven after after being out for almost five weeks, and looked effective, narrowly missing on what would have been the game-winning goal on a low header that Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy saved with a diving grab.

Landon Donovan created the would-be go-ahead chance by rattling the far post off a lovely curling shot from twenty five yards. The deflection fell to a diving Sarvas, but Kennedy recovered in time to keep the game level.

For the Galaxy, it was far from a crisp performance on the evening. Head coach Bruce Arena sent out another new back line, with AJ De la Garza returning to his old position at center back and Robbie Rogers getting his first start in his new role as a fullback.

The unfamiliarity with one another showed early when a two man Chivas attack broke down the befuddled defense easily. Rivero exploited it with a cross bouncing off the back of a lost Leonardo’s leg and falling neatly at the feet of an unmarked Torres, who converted a low shot past a helpless Jaime Penedo to claim the early lead.

Chivas USA managed only one more shot on target on the evening. The Galaxy, meanwhile, sent 21 balls at the Chivas goal, but only eight on target. Kennedy kept his team in the match, and in the end, the Galaxy went home with a draw that seemed like a loss.

“I think we expected to win the game,” said Donovan, who wore the captain’s armband for the first time this season. “I think we played well enough to probably win the game, but again, at the end we didn’t put enough pressure and create quite enough chances. Give them credit.”

As MLS enters a three-week World Cup break, the Galaxy will be cheated somewhat on the time off.  They will travel to Arizona on June 18th for a midweek US Open Cup match against against Arizona United SC, before returning to MLS action in San Jose on Saturday June 28th. Chivas USA will host struggling Real Salt Lake when MLS actions returns.

Comments

  1. Where the fock was landycakes? I guess he saw Jozy score and got scared like the little wimp he is. That guy should’ve never been called to the USMNT. Now we are tough and we are contenders., thanks to Der Kommandant Klinsmann who has instilled that German spirit and bravery that was lacking in our boyz. He discovered Beckerman Yedlin and Green and has utilized Wondo against Cuba, El Salvador and Granada efficiently. Go USA.

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  2. May take him awhile because he’s awfully raw, but Zardes jumps out at you as much as a DeAndre Yedlin does, has the kind of raw physical ability that screams “future International player” if he continues to develop.

    Kid has major, major talent.

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    • Yes, Zardes has talent but he also has one of the most inaccurate shots in the MLS, he couldn’t hit the broad side of a Super Wal-Mart. Until he becomes more accurate he will just be one of those with “potential”

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    • Seriously? He completely whiffed in front of goal twice in that game, and he has not improved at all since he first came up. He just looks like another potential Allan Gordan, Chad Barrett type, good but not great player to me. Hope I’m wrong.

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  3. According to people at the game, some LA fans threw beans at the Chivas fans and had a banner saying something about deporting Cubo Torres. I havent heard anybody else confirm this, was wondering if anybody new anything more?

    Reply

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