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Early goals too much as Galaxy falls to Fire, 3-2

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                          PHOTO BY MICHAEL JANOSZ/ISIPhotos.com

BY ADAM SERRANO

Three goals inside of the opening 20 minutes by Marco Pappa, Collins John and Mike Banner were the difference as the Chicago Fire were able to hold off a Landon Donovan led comeback to defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy, 3-2 on Sunday night. 

The club's first home loss marks a poor run of form for Los Angeles as the club has only earned two wins over the past month of play. Over the past seven matches, the club has surrendered 14 goals after starting the season with 14 shutouts. With their formerly great play failing them, the Galaxy have begun to ask what's next?

"We have to look at it and just get back to the basics. We know that we’re a quality team and there are times in the season where things aren’t going your way and now is that time, said Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter. "I don’t think it’s time to panic, I think it’s time to look at things and regroup.”


Before the confetti cannons finished blowing to signal the start of the match, the Fire jumped on the Galaxy for two goals from Marco Pappa in the 4th and Collins John's tally just a minute later. Each goal catching the vaunted Galaxy defense flat footed on the counter attack. Chicago would add a third in the 20th minute when midfielder Mike Banner was able to clean up a Donovan Ricketts save and put the Fire into a lead that they would not relinquish.

Despite going down early, the Galaxy were able to quickly regroup thanks to a pair of penalty kick goals by Donovan in the 37th and 81st minutes. However, much like in their game against the Islanders, the real story were the chances not completed. With the Fire seemingly content to defend, the Galaxy were able to place numerous shots on frame, but the team's once stellar finishing eluded them. 

"Sometimes it happens like that. They had four chances and scored three goals and I’d like to say that a lot of it has to do with luck, but I think those things happen for a reason," said Donovan. "Maybe our attitude isn’t right, maybe we’re not as focused on our jobs and we’re focused on other things, off the field too much, and that’s coming back to bite us right now."

With the Galaxy dominating possession throughout the match, the Fire were extremely efficient with their chances capitalizing on three of their four shots on goals. With Chicago efficiency giving the Fire the lead, it was up to rookie Goalkeeper Sean Johnson to make the big saves to keep the Fire ahead as the Galaxy made their comeback. Making his first start for Chicago in place of Andrew Dykstra, the Fire goalkeeper made four saves, but none bigger than a diving save on an Alan Gordon header in the 85th minute to  halt the Galaxy come back for good.

"Credit to them because they kept coming and they came down to the last few minutes, but we were able to hold strong," said Johnson. "Getting a win like this particularly against a LA was just great for my confidence as we go forward."

The match marked the first match for recent addition the Fire, midfielder Freddie Ljungberg. The midfielder entered in the 62nd minute, but was unable to make an impact on the match for the Fire, appearing disconnected with his new teammates. Despite the early troubles, the Swede is upbeat about his future with the Fire.

"i've only seen my teammates for 24 hours, but they really wanted me to play today and next week I'll be able to train with the team and get to know the players," "We were under pressure when I got in and credit to the players for winning against two penalties and its just happy days."

The loss puts the Galaxy at the 19-3-4 on the season, just six points ahead of Real Salt Lake and the Columbus Crew for the Supporters Shield. Chicago is now at 20 points with a record of 5-5-5 and will now take on Thierry Henry and the New York Red Bulls next week. For Los Angeles, the club will hope that the new will bring them success, but they face a stiff test against the Puerto Rico Islanders on Wednesday. 

Following the match, the Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena reflected on week in which teams that he coaches conceded 12 goals. Despite the poor results, Arena was able to look on the bright side.

"For me personally, I've had better weeks in my life, but the way that I look at it, it can only get better." 

Comments

  1. The game could have ended more fatally for Chicago after they avoided a terrible mis-managed substitution debacle in the second half. I also don’t understand what the hype is about Collins John. He looks lethargic on the field, was caught offsides at least 5 times during the course of the game, and the goal he made was really unmissable. Chicago looked weak in the second half, great goaltending from the newb.

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  2. “. . .but the way that I look at it, it can only get better.”

    Really, Bruce? Is that the best thing you could have come up with? And to think I used to like this guy. I know some people take objection with Bradley helming the USMNT, but thank the heavens that it’s not Arena managing.

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  3. The Fire looked great in the first half and should only get better once Nery and Freddie get some practice time in with the squad. It was clear we missed Nyarko and I’m really looking forward to all of those guys playing together.

    If not for the ref gifting two penalties to the Galaxy, the score would have been much more lopsided. It was shameful to give an absolutely dubious 2nd penalty after the 1st one was alredy a bit soft. Combined with what should have been a clear red for Dema’s studs into Krol’s shin, it’s hard to see how this guy wasn’t in the bag for LA.

    Johnson also established himself as the clear #1 keeper for the Fire. He makes better saves, organizes the defense better, and doesn’t have the butterfingers of Dykstra. Perhaps Dykstra is amazing in practice but doesn’t have the nerves for a real match. I think anyone would be hard pressed to argue he should keep his starting position. Johnson is 6’3″, very athletic, and only 21 years old. He should be our keeper for years to come.

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  4. If you wanted to watch some entertainment, go back and watch the first half. If you’re a G’s fan, you’ll see how they can be beaten fairly comprehensively. If you’re a Fire fan, you’ll see a different team from the second half (not to mention a different team from what Fire fans have been used to this season up to now). And finally, if you’re a neutral fan, you’ll get to see 3 solid goals and a penalty (for the 4th goal). All and all a fairly good match.

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  5. I didn’t see the first half, but watched most of the second half. In the second half, I think I saw Chicago cross midfield in any purposeful way perhaps twice. LA COMPLETELY dominated possession, but could not finish. Edson Buddle missed a golden opportunity late in the game on a great pass by Donovan, and Chicago’s Sean Johnson came up with a highlight reel save on an LA header. LA cannot get in the US MNT funk of conceding early goals, or they will see their Western Conference lead disappear.

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  6. @Jerome – agreed… once Tristan Bowen was slotted into right mf he created numerous opportunities. His development has been really impressive this year. I’m a little worried about Stephens, I think he may have hit the rookie wall.

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  7. That second penalty call was weak at best, Krol gets a studs up tackle that should have been a straight red to Kovalenko and the ball brushes a hand as he turns away and boom, yellow and a penalty?

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  8. I am sorry to say, that once again, LA get all of the bias of this league. Not only with the officials trying to hand them the match, but the media covering it as a loss for them.

    But, a great, and much needed, 3 points tonight for the Fire. Let’s see this season turn around, and push to be one of the top teams in the league. Fire ‘Til I Die!

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  9. Glad to see Collins do well. I was one of the ones to back him up when he was announced. Needs a bit of confidence and the goal will do wonders for him.

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  10. Let’s see what the Castillo / Ljungberg combo can do against Red Bulls. If Collins John can play next week like he did yesterday, then Fire v Red Bulls will be a really exciting game. Sean Johnson should start in goal. I can’t wait for the Aug 8 game.

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