Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com
BY ADAM SERRANO
CARSON, CALIF — Toronto F.C. were able to steal a point on the road from the hottest team in the league on Saturday night earning a 0-0 draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
A stiff defense and sound goalkeeping was enough for Toronto to steal a point on the road. On a night that served as the send off for Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan ahead of their appearance in the United States World Cup training camp, the Galaxy's offense provided little against a stubborn Toronto FC team.
Toronto's Head Coach Preki drew up a game plan that was reminiscent of the performances by his former club Chivas USA. Toronto offered a physical defense that was able to stifle a Galaxy attack that had been unstoppable as of late. On top of the defensive play, Toronto offered a number of chances. The best coming from Chad Barrett in the 72nd minute. Off a pass from second half sub Gabe Gala, the forward found himself alone and fired a shot that went over the net of Galaxy Goal keeper Josh Saunders.
Although chances were few and far between for both clubs, the best chance for the Galaxy came in the 66th minute when Edson Buddle's shot went off the cross bar Landon Donovan was able to hit Buddle with a fantastic cross, but the forward's shot went off the cross bar. Apart from the ball off the cross bar it was a disappointing night for Buddle as he was not nearly as dangerous as he has been in past matches.
The Galaxy nearly stole all three points in extra time with a flurry of shots directed at the net of Goalkeeper Stefan Frei. However, the goalkeeper came up big and preserved the draw and the point for Toronto.
Los Angeles will now play at least two matches without their pair of World Cup hopefuls. Without their attackers, it will be up to their Galaxy's youngsters to step up to help the club maintain their undefeated record.
With their point on the road, Toronto will now head home to BMO field to take on the New England Revolution on Saturday while the Galaxy will travel to Texas to take on F.C. Dallas on Thursday.
Here are the match highlights:
BY ADAM SERRANO
CARSON, CALIF — Toronto F.C. were able to steal a point on the road from the hottest team in the league on Saturday night earning a 0-0 draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
A stiff defense and sound goalkeeping was enough for Toronto to steal a point on the road. On a night that served as the send off for Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan ahead of their appearance in the United States World Cup training camp, the Galaxy's offense provided little against a stubborn Toronto FC team.
Toronto's Head Coach Preki drew up a game plan that was reminiscent of the performances by his former club Chivas USA. Toronto offered a physical defense that was able to stifle a Galaxy attack that had been unstoppable as of late. On top of the defensive play, Toronto offered a number of chances. The best coming from Chad Barrett in the 72nd minute. Off a pass from second half sub Gabe Gala, the forward found himself alone and fired a shot that went over the net of Galaxy Goal keeper Josh Saunders.
Although chances were few and far between for both clubs, the best chance for the Galaxy came in the 66th minute when Edson Buddle's shot went off the cross bar Landon Donovan was able to hit Buddle with a fantastic cross, but the forward's shot went off the cross bar. Apart from the ball off the cross bar it was a disappointing night for Buddle as he was not nearly as dangerous as he has been in past matches.
The Galaxy nearly stole all three points in extra time with a flurry of shots directed at the net of Goalkeeper Stefan Frei. However, the goalkeeper came up big and preserved the draw and the point for Toronto.
Los Angeles will now play at least two matches without their pair of World Cup hopefuls. Without their attackers, it will be up to their Galaxy's youngsters to step up to help the club maintain their undefeated record.
With their point on the road, Toronto will now head home to BMO field to take on the New England Revolution on Saturday while the Galaxy will travel to Texas to take on F.C. Dallas on Thursday.
Here are the match highlights:
Donavan isn’t going anywhere. He’s worth more to the MLS than he is to a European team because of his marketing power here. He’s the face of American soccer. Everton already wanted to buy him and couldn’t. The MLS won’t let him go.
gmd, i was thinking the same thing. my hope is that he finishes the season here then moves abroad.
Is anyone even commenting that this may be the last time we ever see Donovan in a LA Galaxy uniform??
Nope, they just plain sucked. Nana was all over Buddle like white on rice!
Ives, we’re not going home yet. We’re now on our way to Vancouver to wrap up the Voyageur’s Cup on Wednesday.
/golfclap
Eddie Johnson is injured (hamstring) and is already is Princeton for training camp with the MNT.
I didnt watch the game, but Im guessing Donovan and Buddle wanted to get into camp injury free.
is eddie johnson playing with aris right now?
i didnt see that starting lineup, but i cant find him on the field :X
Saaay, Buddeh, we resent that, eh! We gave you Celine Dion, you have us Saddam!
(Ok, so that’s about even.)
I know man… they have those beady little eyes
I was happier with TFC in this draw than I have been in their wins. They looked to be the better team for much of the game. At the end they looked gassed and were barely able to hang on. Good game to watch.
Ives: What is the Canada crap? I’m off to another website.
(j/k)
ur right. but i think he wuz just talkin about mls games. but he should add ncc to
I thought he was good as a “Target” player.
Bob probally forwarded this to Bruce, “get ya Boy Buddle posting up more, son”.