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Galaxy overcome de Jong dismissal to top Whitecaps

Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports
Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports

The LA Galaxy entered Monday’s clash with the Vancouver Whitecaps winless in their last seven matches. The  performances of the club’s biggest names ushered them back into the win column, even as one of them saw red for another dangerous foul

Robbie Keane provided the opening goal while Steven Gerrard added a pair of assists to lead the Galaxy to a  2-0 victory over the Whitecaps on Tuesday at the StubHub Center. The win snaps the Galaxy’s longest winless streak since 2012.

However, the Galaxy’s evening was not all positive, as 7 Nigel de Jong was sent off for a straight-legged tackle on Blas Perez in the 74th minute. De Jong for three games back in April for a dangerous foul on the Portland Timbers’ Darlington Nagbe.

Keane provided his finish in the 12th minute, giving the Galaxy a much-needed early lead. After receiving a pass from Gerrard, Keane took a touch onto his right foot before curling a shot into the top corner from just outside the box.

Jeff Larentowicz added an insurance goal just two minutes into the second half, all but ending the Whitecaps’ hope of a comeback. Larentowicz separated from his defender in the center of the box on a Gerrard corner, providing an say header from close range.

Statistically, the Whitecaps proved the more aggressive team. The visitors fired 24 shots to the Galaxy’s nine, but could only test Brian Rowe a trio of times.

Despite De Jong’s dimissal, the Galaxy sealed victory heading into Saturday’s clash with the Seattle Sounders, while the Vancouver Whitecaps prepare for a meeting with the Colorado Rapids that same day.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Monday’s match proved just how valuable Robbie Keane is to the Galaxy. His goal set an early tone, while his perfectly-timed runs demonstrated how important he is with his ability to open defenses.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The Whitecaps emerged from halftime hoping to pull back into the game, but Jeff Larentowicz’s header pegged them back almost immediately with a demoralizing blow.

MATCH TO FORGET

Nigel de Jong’s reputation looks truer by the day, as the Dutch midfielder’s dismissal will once again open the discussion regarding his habitually dirty tackles.

Comments

  1. Keane and Zardes and a healthy Gerrard, such a huge difference. Just shows how far MLS still has to go, that the richest team in the league is still so thin that if they lose 2-3 starters they can’t win a single game for months.

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  2. I actually defended De Jong when it came to the outrage of his tackle on Nagbe. I thought it wasn’t deserving of suspension and was probably borderline Red card. This tackle was much, much worse and deserves a suspension. Incredibly reckless flying slide tackle that went studs up for an ankle and was not close to the ball.

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    • DeJong is kind of terrifying isn’t he. Seems so well-spoken, thoughtful, and dare I say it, gentle, when you see him in interview, and yet these horror tackles over and over and over. Then again, there’s a lot of mass murderers out there who, when they’re arrested, the neighbors always say “he was a quiet man, nice with the kids…”

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  3. Didn’t see the game or the tackle, and am not really going to defend De Jong for anything. However, I can see how Perez’s antics and off the ball nonsense could easily get under your skin.

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  4. Hard to believe “Leg breaker” DeJong got a straight red. Let’s hope this one results in a longer suspension. That guy needs to either clean up his game or leave the league. He’s a criminal element if ever there was one

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    • Said Bruce Arena;”I think tonight it’s valid to give a red card, but it’s awkward when you show a yellow then come back with a red. I think Nigel has to show better judgment. I think he got elbowed on the play and got a little angry. But I don’t think the tackle is a good tackle by any means.”
      So here you have it. Even Bruce admits it, No argument there!
      All hail Bruce!

      Reply

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