Carson, CA (April 10, 2016) – The LA Galaxy played a make shift lineup due to injuries against the defending MLS Cup Champions, Portland Timbers. But the head storyline wasn’t the lineup, the result, or a Nat Borchers own goal. It was a foul by midfielder Nigel De Jong that possibly injured midfielder Darlington Nagbe.
Nigel De Jong Tackle Highlights Galaxy-Timbers 1-1 Draw
The Galaxy came in with a bunch of injuries, including Designated Players Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard. Head Coach Bruce Arena shook things up by playing Giovani dos Santos and Gyasi Zardes up top together for the first time. Baggio Husidic against started in midfield in place of Gerrard.
Things became more complicated as six minutes in, Robbie Rogers went down with what was reported as a hip contusion. With no full backs available on the bench due to A.J. DeLaGarza being injured, Arena was forced to substitute holding midfielder Rafael Garcia in for Rogers.
The Galaxy played well in the first half all things considered, owning much of the possession and creating several good chances. Zardes showed a good work rate on both sides of the ball and creating several shot opportunities for himself. Garcia performed admirably in an unfamiliar position, playing it safe at times and not giving Lucas Melano time and space.
But like many Galaxy-Timbers games, the second half was where the action was. The Galaxy continued their first half play, keeping the ball and going forward. But it was the Timbers who struck first. In the 52nd minute, Portland sprung a counter attack. Diego Valeri found Fernando Adi, who took a few touches at the corner of the box, and delivered a perfectly placed shot to the far corner of the goal. Garcia attempted to close him down, but gave Adi just enough space to pick his spot and beat goalkeeper Brian Rowe.
Defender Daniel Steres had an excellent header off a free kick in the 56th minute that Adam Kwarasey was just able to stop and collect. Just two minutes later, the Galaxy had good build up play through their right side. Baggio Husidic fired a cross from the touch line across the box that both Zardes and Mike Magee made runs towards. Zardes was unable to get there and Magee appeared to slow up with Zardes approaching. Magee was able to take a shot, but whiffed it well wide of goal.
The game had gotten a bit cagey in the second half and that came to a fever pitch in the 73rd minute when De Jong appeared to stomp on Nagbe’s ankle, studs up. Nagbe was subbed off and exited the field after the game in a wheel chair. De Jong was given only a yellow card for the tackle.
LA continued to push forward seeking an equalizer. In the 84th minute, Garcia found Sebastian Lletget who fired a cross into the box. Borchers attempted to head it away, but put it into his own net for an own goal. The game continued to be stretched, but even with LA pushing having tied the game and five minutes of extra time, the game ended 1-1.
After the game, broadcasts showed De Jong approach Nagbe and appear to apologize for the tackle.
The Galaxy travel for a Friday match at the Houston Dynamo. Kick off is set for 4 pm PST on UniMas. The Timbers have just two days to regroup before hosting FC Dallas at 7:30 pm PST at Providence Park.
