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Galaxy Rally Late To Tie Red Bulls In CHAOTIC Game

CARSON, CA (August 7, 2016) – This could be the MLS Game of the Year and not for the right reasons. The LA Galaxy scored two goals in the final 10 minutes to draw the New York Red Bulls 2-2 on Sunday night. But that wasn’t half the story.

Galaxy Rally Late To Tie Red Bulls In CHAOTIC Game

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena had close to a full squad available for the match. Forward Gyasi Zardes is still recovering from a chest muscle strain, so Sebastian Lletget started at left midfield. He played along side the three DPs in a 4-2-3-1. Jeff Larentowicz and Nigel de Jong started as holding midfielders together.

Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch had to make some changes. With Captain Dax McCarty injured, homegrown Sean Davis started at holding mid. Alex Muyl started at right midfield. Center back Aurélien Collin was on the bench for this game. Damien Perrinelle and Ronald Zubar started in defense together.

The first half was frantic. LA came out on the front foot, throwing numbers forward and creating chances. There were shouts for a penalty in the 4th minute when Steven Gerrard went down in the box after an apparent collision with Kemar Lawrence. Gerrard appeared to go down a bit easily but Lawrence did put his hands on the back of the midfielder inside the box.

Robbie Keane came out of the game 12 minutes in after his head made contact with goalkeeper Luis Robles’s knee in the box. The forward was down for several minutes with a bloody nose and appeared to be evaluated for a concussion. He would return to play.

The match came to a boil in the 30th minute. Perrinelle was subbed out after a controversial tackle by Lawrentowicz. Just two minutes later, Connor Lade was subbed out for an injury as well. Marsch was furious with the officials and showed in his half time interview.

The two teams traded chances during the 7 minutes of first half stoppage time but neither scored. The half ended 0-0.

Things got worse for the Red Bulls two minutes into the second half. Forward Bradley Wright-Philips went down holding his leg. He was subbed out for Gonzalo Veron. Wright-Philips did not look the same after a second half tackle he suffered from Galaxy center back Daniel Steres. Advantage was ruled on that play and Steres was not carded.

The Galaxy continued to push forward against a wounded opponent, but were unable to finish. Keane in particular was not sharp at times. New York gradually settled into the game with their three substitutes and took it to the Galaxy at times. Their high press bothered the Galaxy back six all night long and the quick counter created many chances.

With the Galaxy frustrated and sleep walking through the game, the Red Bulls scored two quick goals. First Veron got in behind to chip Brian Rowe after great team play through Sacha Kljestian. Then in the 74th minute, Davis found space at the top of the box and masterfully curled a ball far post to make it 2-0.

The two goals shocked but woke up the Galaxy. Arena made two substitutions immediately bringing on Emmanuel Boateng and Mike Magee. Magee would finish off a chance culminated by the work of the DPs.

In the 80th minute, Giovani dos Santos sent a cross to the far post. Gerrard headed it down towards Keane. Keane occupied the defense, leaving Magee free. He tapped the ball into the net on the door step.

The Galaxy continued to push and found an equalizer at the death. Ashley Cole scored in the 89th minute when he was able to clean up a ball that wasn’t headed out.

Chaos ensued late into the match and into stoppage time. The Red Bulls had multiple shouts for PKs with Rowe making contact on two Red Bulls players. Neither were called for fouls. No yellow cards for simulation were called in the match either. Red Bulls head coach Marsch was ultimately tossed from the match for dissent.

This match was insane from beginning to end. The Red Bulls showed tremendous resolve in the face of multiple adversities. The Galaxy were poor in finishing, but got it together when it counted most.

Still, with several injuries and officiating controversies, this match should be a nominee for MLS Game of the Year. And not for the right reasons.

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