Landon Donovan, Donovan Ricketts, Juan Pablo Angel in LA Galaxy's Shutout over the Union
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Pro Soccer News: LA Galaxy Beat Philadelpia Union 1-0
Galaxy team spirit leads pro soccer team to victorious shut out despite being a man down due to a red card.
Despite losing English born Chris Birchall to a second half Red Card, the LA Galaxy went on to beat the Philadelphia Union 1-0, Saturday night at The Home Depot Center, on a headed goal by Brazilian defender Leonardo.
The LA Galaxy came out of the blocks with David Beckham playing in a central midfielder role. Beckham put his stamp on the game with his patented long passes constantly keeping the Union defense off balance.
In the 33rd minute it was the English international that provided LA Galaxy with their lead. LA Galaxy midfielder Juninho was fouled about 30 yards from the Philly goal and Beckham sent an inch perfect cross onto the head of Leonardo who made know mistake depositing the ball in the back of the net.
The LA Galaxy continued to pile on the pressure looking for that second goal and some breathing room. The Union defended well and could only manage a few counter attacks but no shots on goal as the first half came to an end.
The Galaxy continued to attack in the second half but the game was to change dramatically in the 53rd minute. Birchall got involved in an off the ball incident with Philly forward Carlos Ruiz and referee Paul Ward gave the LA forward his marching orders. Ruiz got off with a yellow card but the incident changed the game.
LA head coach Bruce Arena brought on midfielder Bryan Jordan for forward Miguel Lopez and set up his team to defend their one goal lead. LA went to a 4-4-1, with Juan Pablo Angel as the lone threat up front.
LA Galaxy defended well recording their first shutout of the year. Head coach Arena was very pleased with the way his team responded defensively and he had this to say, “I think for the night, we played very well. Philadelphia didn’t get many good chances. I thought we had a number of decent chances. I think the defensive effort was good, certainly. It would have been nice to get the second goal. We had the chance in the beginning of the half, and obviously we had the chance with Angel later in the game. Overall, the backline played very well. It was a good game. We just have to deal with those kinds of circumstances, and be an experienced team, and get the three points and get out of here.”
Arena was also happy with the performance of Beckham in a central role. “I think David Beckham played well tonight. I think we are getting him back in the kind of form he needs to be in, in terms of his fitness. We played him centrally tonight, and he did a good job. He helps our passing, and I was pretty impressed with his effort tonight. It was much improved from the first three games. I think our experienced guys did a good job in the second half, understanding what needed to be done to get the three points. Landon played very well. His experience and David’s, and Juan’s played a factor in this game, “commented the LA coach.
With the win, the Galaxy is now 2-1-1 on the season, giving them seven points. The Galaxy is now one point ahead of Colorado and Real Salt Lake, neither of whom was in action tonight, for first place in the Western Conference.
The Galaxy is back in action next Saturday, April 9 in the first game of a three-game road trip when they take on D.C. United at RFK Stadium.
Scoring Summary:
LA – Leonardo 1 (David Beckham 2) 33’
Misconduct Summary:
LA – Miguel Lopez (Yellow Card) 51’
LA – Chris Birchall (Red Card) 53’
PHI – Carlos Ruiz (Yellow Card) 53’
LA – Donovan Ricketts (Yellow Card) 60’
PHI – Sheanon Williams (Yellow Card) 64’
PHI – Jordan Harvey (Yellow Card) 78’
PHI – Danny Califf (Yellow Card) 88’
LA – David Beckham (Yellow Card) 90’
LA – Landon Donovan (Yellow Card) 92+
PHI – Jack McInerney (Red Card) 94+
Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Donovan Ricketts; Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Leonardo, Todd Dunivant; Juninho, Chris Birchall (Sent Off 53’), David Beckham (Jovan Kirovski 91+), Landon Donovan ©; Juan Pablo Angel (Chad Barrett 94+), Miguel Lopez (Bryan Jordan 57’).
Subs Not Used: Josh Saunders, A.J. DeLaGarza, Frankie Hejduk, Mike Magee.
Philadelphia Union: Faryd Mondragon ©; Jordan Harvey, Carlos Valdes, Danny Califf, Sheanon Williams (Jack McInerney 73’); Brian Carroll, Stefani Miglioranzi, Sebastian Le Toux, Kyle Nakazawa (Roger Torres 62’); Danny Mwanga (Keon Daniel 46’), Carlos Ruiz.
Subs Not Used: Thorne Holder, Gabriel Farfan, Michael Farfan, Chris Agorsor.
RELATED ARTICLES: Soccer News on the LA Galaxy
Tony Bruce is a well known and admired soccer coach who has be involved in soccer for more than 40 years. As a Youth, Tony Bruce played soccer in Scotland and in England for Leeds United, Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers. As an adult, Bruce played for Los Angeles Aztecs, San Diego Jaws and in the NASL for California Sunshine. In the ASL, Bruce played soccer for 14 years in the Greater Los Angeles professional league for San Pedro Yugoslavs, Montebello Armenians, San Pedro Croatia, L.A. Gauchos, So. Bay United, Maccabee.
Bruce has coached college, high school and competitive club soccer in the San Diego Orange county and Los Angeles areas. Currently, Bruce coaches for La Jolla High and San Diego Surf Soccer and holds USSF National A Coaching license.
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