Carson, CA. (August 23, 2015) – It was a hot Southern California afternoon, but it ended up feeling like one of the Los Angeles Galaxy‘s CONCACAF Champions League matches. Their much hyped Sunday match up with New York City FC turned into a route, as the defending champs won 5-1.
LA Galaxy Make NYCFC Sing The Blues, 5-1
This match was advertised as a clash of the stars, much like the “1% Derby” between the LA Galaxy and Red Bulls New York. The media chose to play up the two biggest markets facing off as well as the striker match up Robbie Keane vs. David Villa.
Much was made of the Steven Gerrard vs. Frank Lampard reunion, but it proved to be all for not, as Lampard continues to be bothered by a quad injury.
The match started off excellently for the visitors. NYCFC came out possessing the ball and going at the LA Galaxy back line. They created several shot opportunities, but the Galaxy did well to break them up or block them. Kwadwo Poku combined well with Villa up top.
In the 18th minute, everything changed. A turnover by Andrea Pirlo turned into a quick Galaxy attack. Keane’s shot was ultimately deflected out for a corner. The following corner led to several good chances as the Galaxy pushed numbers forward and lobbed crosses into the box.
The Galaxy continued to push, as Keane got several chances, but was unable to finish. In the 26th minute, Robbie Rogers made an overlapping run, freeing up Sebastian Lletget. Lletget tried to chip Goalkeeper Josh Saunders, but Saunders got a palm to the ball.
Finally, the Galaxy would hit pay dirt in the 36th minute. Juninho took a free kick quickly to Keane, cathcing NYCFC off guard. Gyasi Zardes made a run into the box and put a wide open header into the back of the net.
The two teams would trade chances the rest of the half as the play was wide open. The half would end 1-0 to the LA Galaxy who could have been up by more.
The second half started a bit slower before the 53rd minute. Giovani Dos Santos got the ball in a wide position. Zardes was in front of him and made a run inside, forcing the NYCFC backline to adjust. That gave Keane enough of a lead to make a run towards goal wide open. Dos Santos delivered the pass. Keane ran onto the ball and chipped it over Saunders.
In the 67th minute, Keane received a pass in the midfield, sucking in several NYCFC players. That left Dos Santos open, who made an onside run and Keane found him with a pass. Similar to Keane’s goal, Dos Santos was in alone and chipped Saunders. Again the Galaxy victimized Jason Hernandez at center back.
The Galaxy would tack on a forth goal in the 70th minute. After a good build up, Zardes set up Gerrard for a shot at the top of the box. Lletget would get a touch to the shot to tip it into the back of the net.
Down 4-0, Patrick Mullins would draw a penalty as substitute Dan Gargan tripped him up inside the box in the 80th minute. Villa would convert the PK, and is now 2 for 3 from the spot in 2015.
One minute later, Lletget would find the streaking Rogers, who set up Keane wide open for his second of the match.
The game ended 5-1. Keane would finish with a brace and two assists. Dos Santos, Zardes, and Lletget all had a goal and an assist.
The LA Galaxy look north as they face the San Jose Earthquakes next weekend. NYCFC continue their hunt for the playoffs at home against Columbus.
