photo by Jeff Swinger/USA Today Sports
By FRANCO PANIZO
LA Galaxy midfielder Juninho stepped up to the penalty spot in second-half stoppage time, knowing full well that converting his shot would all but assure the club of taking three points away from Real Salt Lake.
Nick Rimando had other ideas, however.
RSL salvaged a point at home against the Galaxy on Wednesday, with Rimando stoning Juninho on a spot kick in the dying moments of a scoreless draw at a rainy Rio Tinto Stadium. LA was awarded the penalty in the 89th minute after Jamison Olave was called for a foul in the 18-yard box on Omar Gonzalez, but Juninho’s low effort to the right was read all the way by the heroic Rimando.
Olave nearly atoned for his error on the final attacking play of the game, but the Salt Lake centerback’s low effort went agonizingly wide of the far post by inches.
In a match that was delayed 62 minutes before kickoff due to nearby lightning, neither team had much going offensively in the first half. Real Salt Lake youngster Jordan Allen showed good confidence and a willingness to attack defenders, but the hosts still could not muster up much in the final third.
The Galaxy also lacked sharpness in the attack in the opening 45 minutes. Gyasi Zardes failed to put one of their best chances away just before halftime when he hit a close-range header wide of the goal.
Things picked up in the second half. RSL forward Alvaro Saborio had a pair of decent looks that Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo turned away, including on one play in the 77th minute that saw Saborio take the ball away from a fallen Leonardo.
LA, meanwhile, settled for tame headers that Rimando dealt with easily until the late-game drama that saw the veteran goalkeeper come to Real Salt Lake’s rescue.
Both of the Western Conference clubs face a short turnaround with games schedule for Saturday. Seventh-placed Real Salt Lake (2-2-5) hit the road to take on the Chicago Fire in the afternoon, and the Galaxy (3-2-5) visit FC Dallas looking to improve on their fourth-place standing.
Here are the match highlights:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqN–UJFAoE]
What do you think of Real Salt Lake’s scoreless draw with the Galaxy? How good was Rimando’s clutch stop on Juninho? Were you impressed by Allen?
Share your thoughts below.
With how short he is, it’s a wonder Rimando can reach any shot.
That game yesterday was utter garbage. The blown PK was the icing on the cake. Until MLS can afford deeper rosters they need to keep midweek games to an absolute minimum.
good call. agreed
I love how the broadcast showed the “goal” graphic and even added a goal to the score display after the pk.
Anyone in LA missing Landon?
Not as much as they are missing Robbie Keane.
This looks like the typical early season Galaxy to me, what’s new?
missing them both equally Limey. on the PKs, LD as good as I’ve ever seen taking them
Of course, we miss Landon. But, a point on the road ain’t half bad.