Things are already very different than they were in Los Angeles. For one, Alajuelense has scored. That’s very different than when the LA Galaxy took down the Costa Ricans earlier in the CONCACAF Champions League. Another difference, Alajuelense have been the better side. Those who want to blame the Galaxy’s struggles on the turf are blind to the fact that Alajuelense are playing with more confidence than they were in LA and their interchanging has forced LA into a cocoon than has made their attack impotent. There’s also the matter of a wonderstrike that has the hosts up 1-0 at halftime.
Alajuelense Vs. LA Galaxy Live, 2011 CONCACAF Champions League: Halftime, Brilliant Free Kick Has Hosts Up
From more than 25 yards out it didn’t look like the Galaxy had given away too bad of a foul. That was before Pablo Gabas stepped to the ball and hit an absolute laser into the upper corner. It was a brilliant strike that deserved a goal and it went Alajuelense’s way, which is appropriate because they deserved to be in front.
LA had a chance to go in front early when Patrick Pemberton spilled a shot in front, but Landon Donovan rushed his shot despite having a largely empty net. That was LA's best shot and the last time they were on the front foot. Ever since it's been Alajuelense on the ball and forcing the Galaxy to retreat. This against an almost first choice LA team too. They'll have to find a way to mark the midfield runs by Alajuelense and find some sort of build up through the midfield, something they've failed to do so far. Don't and they're looking at a sure loss.
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