November 9, 2014 (Carson, CA) The Los Angeles Galaxy are through to the Western Conference Finals on the heels of a 5-0 drubbing of rival Real Salt Lake. After a very discouraging first leg of defending and weathering the storm (both from the RSL attack and the weather elements), the Galaxy flipped the switch and returned to their form that nearly led them to winning the Supporters’ Shield.
Landon Donovan gave an excellent synopsis of the match and how they made it difficult for the visitors. “We played very well, and our energy early set the tone. I said last week for a majority of the first half in Salt Lake, they were really camped in their own end so we expected that they would come out and be pretty conservative here; and they were. We did a lot of work this week on breaking down the team with those ten guys behind the ball. So I thought our spacing was really good, our movement was excellent, our possession passing was excellent, and then our final pass was really good. I think that combined with really good energy made for a really good night.”
Donovan led the Galaxy to victory with a hat-trick and an assist. Donovan now has scored 26 goals and 13 assists in 39 MLS playoff appearances. On his teammate, Marcelo Sarvas said “Landon did what he does best. His speed with the ball, running, breaking lines, and scoring goals. I think it was a great performance.”
Donovan added that he was very focused knowing this could potentially have been the final game of his career. He said in the post game interview on ESPN2 “there are a lot of things that were out of my control tonight, and one of the things that was in my control was how I played. So I wanted to make sure that when I went home tonight and looked in the mirror that I knew I gave everything regardless of the result.” He added “the team played well too, and made for a really fun night. I had fun, and I wanted to have fun tonight.”
Robbie Keane highlighted the score sheet along with Donovan, with a goal and three assists. While not as present on the score sheet, Stefan Ishizaki was instrumental in stretching the play out wide, distorting RSL’s diamond formation and contributing to the attack significantly. While his place in the starting lineup appeared to be a surprise, it was all part of the plan.
“Weeks ago, when this whole series was established I knew I was going to play Stefan [Ishizaki] in the second game,” said head coach Bruce Arena.
On multiple occasions, most significantly the first goal, Ishizaki was able to go out wide and receive the ball in space, where he found a teammate in a good position to expedite the attach. “I have to make that decision really quick, and tonight I just thought that some other guy had a better opportunity of scoring that I did. If I just hit the ball in the right place it’ll be a goal for sure,” said the Swede.
First year head coach Jeff Cassar echoed the disappointment RSL felt having lost their shape and being unable to adjust. “We lost our shape and discipline. We could never regain control of the ball.”
Possession is everything to RSL’s system. Their inability to adjust cost them the game and their season. Put simply by goalkeeper Nick Rimando, “it was a tough game for us and if you are not disciplined and organized against a team like this they are going to punish you and that is what they did.”
Real Salt Lake head back to Utah with their 2014 season over. GM Garth Lagerwey is out of contract and keeping him could be the key to maintaining and improving on this season.
The LA Galaxy move on to the Western Conference Finals. They will host the first leg against Seattle Sounders on October 23rd at Stub Hub Center.
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