L.A. Galaxy Earn Victory in Stoppage Time vs. Houston
By Brian Tabije
It wasn’t the prettiest performance but it definitely got the job done.
The L.A. Galaxy needed to step up their effort since the dismal loss to Orlando City SC 4-0 last week at Orlando City Stadium. The clubs worst loss since an 0-5 defeat in 2013 to the New England Revolution.
A forgettable performance needs a dose of home cookin’ and that’s exactly what the boys provided Friday night in front of 20,000 plus at Stubhub Center.
The first 45 minutes was controlled by the home team in a solid, smart performance by head coach Bruce Arena‘s boys. Controlling over 65% of the possession and attempting eight shots was not enough to put them on the board.
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Defensively, Omar Gonzalez and Leonardo anchored the backline with purpose and physicality, keeping the ball out of harms way for Jaime Penedo, who faced just a pair of shots in the first half.
Captain Robbie Keane did not start the match but was injected into the line up in the 56th minute of play and made his first appearance on the pitch since April. Shortly after Keane stepped in, Alan Gordon was inserted to support the already aggressive offensive attack.
The play opened up as Houston pushed forward, the Galaxy found themselves with ample opportunities as subs Keane and Gordon led the charge.
Counter attacks, crosses from the outside midfielders and pressure on Houston’s back line mounted the attack as time continued to tick toward the 90 minute mark.
It was four minutes of added time and L.A was rewarded in the 92nd minute as Gordon lofted the ball to the far post off his head as Keane delivered it into the box.
Gordon tallied to his team lead in goals, finishing his 4th of the season. Click here to see the drama provided by LAGalaxy.com
It was a grind for an L.A team that was back home for the first time since May 2nd.
This was a match that had the entire team putting forth the effort to come out victorious against the Dynamo, the goal scorer himself spoke with the media after the match and explained.
Man of the match Gordon : "There's nothing easy about it, we've been working really hard. These 3 points are huge." pic.twitter.com/zHGEROowxp
— Brian Tabije (@B_Tabije) May 23, 2015
And Gordon wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to finish the ball if it wasn’t for Robbie Keane, who placed the ball right in his wheelhouse.
Keane: "If you find his (Gordon) head, 9 times out of 10 it'll be in the back of the net cause he has the accuracy." pic.twitter.com/HqXtLXZWwY
— Brian Tabije (@B_Tabije) May 23, 2015
So they can enjoy this victory, they deserve some relief and celebration after a stretch of just three goals in five matches, conceding eight goals in those same games.
Work. Win. Enjoy. Repeat.
Easier said than done in this league, but they will have to do that in order to be in the hunt for yet another title run come this fall.
And that is the question for the defending champions. Can they make another deep run in the post season and have an opportunity to capture the clubs sixth title?
Who knows.
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But I feel like they will definitely be one of the teams in the post season. I believe facing Barcelona and the addition of Steven Gerrard will get this team in shape to battle the best across the MLS.
As for now, they rest physically and reset mentally for Wednesday as Real Salt Lake makes their first visit to Stubhub Center this season.
The two teams finished in a scoreless draw in Salt Lake earlier this month.