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Friday Kickoff: Galaxy stay unbeaten, post another clean sheet

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By AVI CREDITOR

Despite playing without two of Major League Soccer's top offensive threats, the Los Angeles Galaxy extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games with a 1-0 victory over FC Dallas in Frisco Thursday night.

Mike Magee, expected to undertake a larger offensive role with Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan currently with the U.S. men's national team, opened the scoring in the 17th minute. He slotted home cross from 18-year-old academy product Tristan Bowen, who was making his first MLS start.

The Galaxy defense then did what it does best – hold the opposition scoreless – and Bruce Arena's side made Magee's goal stand up in improving to 8-0-2. The clean sheet was the eighth of the season for the Galaxy back line and the seventh for goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who returned from a one-game injury absence.

FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman said that his team's effort might have been "the worst performance since I've been here." On the plus side for FC Dallas, 18-year-old academy product Bryan Levya made his MLS debut as a 77th-minute substitute.

Match highlights are after the jump:

Should the Columbus Crew defeat or draw with Kansas City on Sunday, then next week's matchup between the Galaxy and Crew in Columbus would pit the league's remaining unbeaten sides against each other.

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Were you more impressed by Los Angeles or disappointed by FC Dallas? Do you think the Crew has what it takes to defeat the Galaxy? What does Dallas need to get back on track?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Hey coach Hyndman, can we get some shorter, younger, and less experienced players on the field please?

    Why would you sub out the second leader goalscorer in league history when we are down 1-0 to bring on a Midfielder?

    Ives, can you put his record since joining the club on your site and compare that to Steve Morrow’s record? Thanks.

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  2. All of the elementary students of Frisco ISD got in for free. The parents have to take them and buy a ticket for themselves. Pretty smart actually.

    They still will have 10x as many people there this weekend for Jimmy Buffett! Whoo!!

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  3. He had more than anybody in the league last year … He’ll be back. But I don’t think Shea will ever get there. He ran up a guys back, fouled him, kicked the ball away in frustration, got a yellow card, and them complained with his head down. Grow up kid. He also had another “point blank” chance to finish on his preferred left, but he missed.

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  4. Bruce Arena vs. Schellas Hyndman … The Galaxy played fairly conservitavely and FC Dallas still couldn’t do ANYTHING. LA deserved 3 points.

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  5. That’s how we get it done boys. Not the most exciting game to watch, but 3 points away from home with Buddle and Donovan out is just fine with me.

    Most fans I think I’ve ever seen at a Dallas game too

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  6. Bruce Arena did hint that it was very hot during the game and was glad that his team held because at the last ten minutes the Gs were just tried but still holding on somehow.

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  7. That defense was great and is going to take LA places, and frankly FC Dallas’ midfield is a mess. You look at the names on the roster and would think that the midfield would be the strength of the team, but right now I’m pretty sure Hartman has the most touches on the ball of any player.

    I was very excited to see Levya come in, and his first play was terrific and created a good opportunity for Chavez, who let the ball roll of his foot out of bounds. I’m pretty sure all of Levya’s subsequent touches consisted of a nice first touch and a turnover, though.

    Once again, lots of missed opportunities by Cunningham, Harris, and Shea and very little possession. Not a great combination.

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  8. I honestly thing LA was lucky to get the win. And I am a huge G’s fan. First half we looked pretty good but the second half we looked very tired and slow. Dallas had quite a few opportunities that they should have converted. But I will say its nice that when we don’t play our best football we manage to walk away with 3 points.

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  9. That defense is insane. Giving up 2 goals during any 10-game stretch is impressive, but at the beginning of the season when you’re positioning and communication should still be developing? Awesome.

    Does/should all 6 of LA’s top defenders make the All-Star team? In a year of bad goalkeeping, Ricketts is standing out as one of the few bright spots.

    Please please please schedule congestion not hurt this team later in the season.

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  10. Let’s face it. FCD looked the way it did because the galaxy imposed it’s will on them. I am a galaxy honk, I admit it, and I have been known to gloat a little bit but when I take a step back and evaluate the game I watched a corvette overrun a yugo.

    I just hope that Bruce keeps his foot on the pedal for champions league and us open. The old guys still have bounce in their step (still don’t like Mathis) and the youngsters have learned well. Franklin, ajdlg, Omar, Stevens, and the brazilians look like a very solid core for years to come…

    Keep it up boys… See u Sunday vs boca jrs.

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  11. At least some peolpe actually showed up at the Pizza place.

    Can’t imagine the Schellas experiment will last much longer…as FCD goes thru yet another coaching change.

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  12. Were you more impressed by Los Angeles or disappointed by FC Dallas?

    Both! I’m really impressed with the Galaxy. The Bruce has them all in step. Well done. Dallas on the other hand… it’s the youth. it’s very difficult to have consistancy with a group that young. They have moments where thy look very impressive. It’s cliche but being able to bring that for the entire 90 each game is what they are learning. I’ve seen enough of them to think they will be able to get it together and contend (ok I said a couple weeks ago they would make it) for a playoff spot.

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  13. Go, Galaxy. Keep it up and they will already have enough points to insure playoff status by the time Donovan and Buddle return.

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