FRISCO, TX. (May 12, 2018) – FC Dallas defeated LA Galaxy 3-2 on Saturday afternoon after a wild second half. Despite a late goal from Emma Boateng and several late chances, Dallas were able to hold on for the win. With this result, LA Galaxy lose their fourth in a row.
LA Galaxy lose fourth in a row as FC Dallas win 3-2
The Galaxy came out very positive in the opening 20 minutes. They looked to send crosses into the box from all over the final third to try and find Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the air. Their best chance came in the 14th minute when Ola Kamara tried to find Zlatan for a bicycle kick, but could not connect.
On the other side, Dallas found opportunities on the counter. Their stars made them count. In the 28th minute, FC Dallas got the ball in transition off a poor back pass. Mauro Diaz ultimately found Maximiliano Urruti who dribbled around Perry Kitchen and beat goalkeeper David Bingham with a bast inside the post.
The in the 44th minute Diaz found Roland Lamah who beat the off-sides trap, ran in on goal all alone and scored.
Two minutes into the second half, the Galaxy got on the board. Romain Alessandrini sent an inswinging cross on a corner. Kamara got above every other field player and headed it into the back of the net to make it 2-1. Dallas would respond though, scoring in the 52nd minute. Diaz dribbled into the box and around the entire Galaxy back line. He chipped the ball to the far post and Lamah had enough space to head it off Bingham and in.
The Galaxy got a lifeline in the 73rd minute as Reto Ziegler was sent off for FC Dallas with his second yellow card.
In the 84th minute, the Galaxy were fighting for the ball at the top of the ball. It pinged back towards the touchline. Ashley Cole ran onto it and passed it to Emma Boateng who tapped it into the net.
The Galaxy could not complete the comeback and the match ended 3-2, with Zlatan hitting a free kick off the post in the final minutes.
Three takeaways:
The LA Galaxy offense was predictable: The Galaxy offense has been predictable during this losing streak. It seems to be all about getting the ball to Zlatan. If opponents mark him tight or prevent a passing buildup, it doesn’t happen. Dallas kept the Galaxy at a distance and gave Zlatan no room to work.
Dallas speed and Galaxy marking: All three Dallas goal were great displays of skill and speed by Dallas. They were also good examples of the Galaxy being poor in marking and 1-v-1 defending. On all three goals, no Galaxy defender challenged Diaz when he was on the ball. Twice Lamah burned the Galaxy back line (mainly Daniel Steres) and Urruti did a good number on Perry Kitchen. This will have to improve individually and collectively for the Galaxy to make anything of this season.
Conditions did the game in: A 3:30 PM EST kick off in Frisco, TX. in mid-May made sense for the TV broadcast and about nothing else. This match had both a first and second half hydration break. Both teams looked worn out in the final 20 minutes as the game got stretched. Both teams played very direct in the final minutes.
