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Sporting KC shuts down Galaxy

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Tim Melia shattered his previous career best in saves in Sporting Kansas City’s 2-0 win over the LA Galaxy.

The 2017 Major League Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year denied 10 scoring opportunities to preserve a clean sheet against a second-half onslaught influenced by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Daniel Salloi and Johnny Russell provided the cushion for Peter Vermes’ side, as they scored five minutes apart in the second half.

The Galaxy created plenty of scoring chances without Ibrahimovic on the field, as Chris Pontius hit the post and Melia denied a swerving shot by Ashley Cole near the right post.

Salloi opened the scoring in the 56th minute, as he took advantage of space left open by the Galaxy defenders on a corner kick to beat an out of position David Bingham.

Five minutes later, the Galaxy back line was thrashed by Johnny Russell on the right side of the box, as he broke through a pair of defenders to knock his second goal of the season past Bingham.

With Ibrahimovic on the field for 30 minutes, the Galaxy put a ton of pressure on the Sporting KC defense, but the visitors absorbed it all, with Melia in the right position on most of them.

The victory put Sporting KC level with New York City FC in the early hunt for the Supporters’ Shield, as they both have 13 points.

Vermes and Co. also became the fourth MLS team to pick up two road victories. NYCFC, Vancouver and LAFC are the others.

The Galaxy leave StubHub Center for the first time in the Ibrahimovic era in Week 7, as they visit Bastian Schweinsteiger and the Chicago Fire. Sporting KC visits Seattle on Sunday.

Man of the Match

Melia thrived at the stadium he used to call home from his Chivas USA days. The 10 saves made by the 31-year-old set a club regular-season record.

Moment of the Match

Russell’s strike was a nifty display of individual talent, as he skirted through two defenders to beat Bingham and put Sporting KC in the driver’s seat.

Match to Forget

Bingham was at fault for the opening tally, which came a minute after he knocked out a looping shot from Graham Zusi. The entire Galaxy defense hasn’t inspired much confidence at the start of the season.

Comments

  1. I was at the match, and the Galaxy dominated from wire to wire. Unlucky to not score 3 or 4 goals, with the post and their keeper saving the day. We did NOT play well in the second half, despite the chances and possession. Moved the ball far too slowly, didn’t press like we did in the first half. Sigi better get his tactics right, because they seem to be all over the place. Can’t wait for Gio to come back. Hopefully, Jona will gain some form too, because he was poor last night.

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  2. “Sporting KC visits Seattle on Sunday.”

    Seattle visits us Sunday. And we welcome the bottom feeders with no points and no goals on the season.

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  3. Here’s an instructive aspect of the game. In the last few minutes when the Galaxy were down by two goals, it looked like SKC was working harder to get loose balls. When the Galaxy were dominating possession in the second half they moved the b all much too slowly, allowing the SKC defense to move and adjust with little problem.With their defense, the Galaxy need to score at least 2 to have a chance for a result, is what it looks like. .

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