The Los Angeles Galaxy came into tonight’s CCL match with every intention of following their MLS rivals to victory. Despite not playing a Mexican league side (or in Mexico) LA went into tonight’s match with every intention of winning while Alajuelense came seemingly intention of eeking out a nil-nil draw. Unfortunately for the latter side, that was not the case.
Los Angeles Galaxy Continues MLS Trend of Winning Against Foreign Teams
For those who watched LA’s weak Champions League run last year, you will have been surprised to see that LA started their best players tonight. Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Robbie Keane, Omar Gonzalez, Junihno, amongst others all started in tonight’s match. This was a stark contrast as compared to last year when LA was famously removed from the tournament at the hands of the Puerto Rico Islanders before the group stages.
While the game was heavily LA dominated, their efforts did not pay off until the 36th minute when a corner kick taken by David Beckham was slotted in off the head of Omar Gonzalez. Alajuelense, for their part, did have a couple solid chances, especially one particular break away which was saved by Josh Saunders at the last minute.
Heading into the half, LA lead 1-nil over the Costa Rican side.
The second half started off with a bang as Alajuelense made an early run on LA’s goal. LA’s backline was nearly defenseless and, had Saunders not opted to run out and smother the goal, tonight’s story might have been a little different. Fortunately for the MLS squad, Saunders opted not to sleep through the opening minutes.
Continuing on in the second half, Alajuelense was actually the more aggressive side for much of it. They had more chances and shots than LA. It wasn’t until the the latter part of the second half that Los Angeles was able to notch their second goal of the night off a brilliant Sean Franklin cross that was stepped over by Robbie Keane right to the feet of Chad Barrett who slotted it into the back of the net.
The game would ultimately end 2-nil in favor of the MLS side with a singular red card to Junihno who was sent off late in the second half for elbowing a player in the back of the end in the air.
Tonight’s win makes Los Angeles the fourth undefeated MLS side in this year’s Champions League.
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