By IVES GALARCEP
The last time the LA Galaxy faced the San Jose Earthquakes last month, they played the Earthquakes off the park, rolling to a 5-2 victory.
It wouldn’t be as easy for the Galaxy on Friday, as the Earthquakes defense frustrated the Western Conference leaders, shutting down their star-studded attack on the way to a 1-0 victory at Avaya Stadium.
Shea Salinas headed home the winner in the 18th minute, and the Earthquakes defense made that hold up, frustrating the Galaxy’s vaunted offense and keeping Robbie Keane from finding the net.
The victory, San Jose’s fourth straight, moved the Earthquakes into sixth place in the Western Conference, ahead of the Seattle Sounders for the final playoff spot in the West.
The Galaxy started out in promising fashion, but the Earthquakes eventually took control of the proceedings, pressuring the LA midfield and staying organized and not allowing Giovani Dos Santos to create.
The Galaxy figured to respond with a strong second half, but a red card put a dent into those plans. Galaxy defender Leonardo was sent off for a foul on Quincy Amarikwa in the 48th minute. The questionable call made things much tougher for the visitors, though the Galaxy still managed to play better in the second half than during a lackluster first half.
The Earthquakes kept the defensive pressure on, and pressed for an insurance goal that never came. They didn’t need it though, as the Galaxy attack never did kick into the dangerous gear that has overwhelmed opponents in recent weeks.
David Bingham made four saves in the shutout for San Jose, which will next face the Philadelphia Union on Sept. 5 at Avaya Stadium. The Galaxy will have a week off before playing host to the Montreal Impact on Sept. 12.
Godoy has ben huge. Amarikwa too, but not as big as Godoy last night. On top of his defensive work, his distribution is a cut above most other CMs in the league. Hope we can keep our form going with Godoy away for international duty.
Godoy’s value can’t be overestimated. For those who haven’t seen him, I encourage you too catch a San Jose match. He anticipates the flow of the game very well, has very good range, doesn’t wear out and has good technical skills. IMO he’s already one of the better center mids in MLS and hopefully San Jose signed him to a long term contract (is Doyle that smart?).
Players like him are totally undervalued, but looking at Seattle’s struggles this year without Alonso, you can see how essential they are. What is most impressive is how much better he’s made Alashe and now Pelosi. You can see him organizing throughout the match.
Yes, I’m a fan of his.
Gerrard is almost as worthless as fat frank
If there is one thing I’ve learned in MLS it’s never count out a Dom Kinnear coached team!
Can we quit hero worshipping the Galaxy? Maybe I am wrong and they are the best team in MLS, but even if that preposterous notion is true, it is very tight.
Just realize you will sound like a UDN announcer if you do so. I am not sure how he mentioned Gerrard’s name that much, he was a non factor. Ditto for the other LA attackers
Sorry wasnt supossed to be a reply…but 100% agree on Dom
He needs to come back to Seattle.
Dom back Seattle? He’s never coached or lived there to my knowledge. He REALLY wanted to get back to the Bay Area and is being paid very well. I suspect that he also banked a lot of money while living in Houston, which he hated.
Gerrard spent most of his last two seasons at Liverpool playing as part of a 3 man central midfield which covers for his lack of mobility. MLS is of course not nearly as good a league technically, but the amount of running required is very similar as part of a midfield pairing, he doesn’t look up to the task. You could see him becoming more frustrated as the match progressed last night, whining at the referee and putting in some harsh challenges, one of which on Pelosi should have gotten him a yellow. I really suspect that he’s going to be a poor purchase.
Oh and the UDN announcers were on “Stevie G’s” jock all night.
What LA seems to have done has put together a “fantasy league” team, replete with attacking talent, but not so good without the ball. I wonder how comfortable Arena is with this.
After watching them last night, I think that Vancouver will win the West because they’re more complete. I wonder how Garber will feel about that?
I’m still a little hesitant to say that San Jose is for real, but they sure have gotten a lot better since acquiring Godoy and moving back to a 4-4-2. I don’t know why, but LA isn’t good on the road.
Amarikwa has been crucial too, though he wasn’t too good last night. Kinnear understands the league and clearly scouts the opposition very well. Lletget was shackled all night and with Zardes going MIA, LA had no with and worse yet, neither of those guys defend well at all, which opened the flanks. There was a spell in the first half when SJ seemed to working crosses in at will.
The best former Liverpool player last night? Marc Pelosi and it wasn’t even close. I feel for Juninho having to try to cover the center of midfield by himself. Gerrard looked like a broken down old horse last night.
Agreed on all points. Loved Gerrard at Liverpool, but yea, the dude looks like he’s on vacation.