(March 6, 2016) – It was not pretty nor easy, but the LA Galaxy gutted out a 4-1 win over D.C. United in the opening game of the 2016 MLS season.
Head Coach Bruce Arena had to shuffle the lineup for the match. Ashely Cole was back in at left back. He missed the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals due to his wife giving birth. Daniel Steres made his first start of the season at center back for Jelle Van Damme. Sebastian Lletget made his first start of the season as well. The Galaxy came out in a 4-2-3-1 with captain Robbie Keane up top and Giovani dos Santos at central attacking midfield.
D.C. United started the game off with a bang. Lamar Neagle took the ball off a deflection in the midfield, made a run into the box, and buried it in the far corner five minutes into the match. The Galaxy played a poor half and had trouble building the attack and creating chances. Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy came out of the game in the 20th minute due to injury. Brian Rowe came in and made five saves the rest of the way. The half ended 1-0 to the visitors.
Mike Magee Leads LA Galaxy Win over DC United
Arena subbed Dos Santos out at halftime for veteran Mike Magee. The Galaxy returned to their patented 4-4-2, with Magee and Keane up top and Gyasi Zardes remaining at left midfield. The home side began to click with this change. They nearly scored twice in the 53rd minute. Lletget got free down the sideline after some good build up play. He fired a cross into the box and Steven Gerrard found it with his head. The ball deflected off the cross bar. Zardes headed it back at goal, but Andrew Dykstra was able to make the save.
Two minutes later, Steres headed the ball into the back of the net off a Magee corner. The game began to open up as D.C. United responded. However the Galaxy were able to capitalize on their momentum from the goal.
In the 64th minute, Lletget lobbed a ball into the box to an open Magee. The substitute took a touch then chipped the ball over Dykstra and inside the far post to take the lead.
Magee continued to play on fire as he earned a penalty kick as he was tripped up by Dykstra in the box in on goal. Keane converted the PK with his signature stutter step. Magee got a brace in the 87th minute on a header off a Gerrard free kick. the match ended 4-1.
The Galaxy travel to Denver to take on the Colorado Rapids this Saturday. Kick off is set for 4 pm PST.
