LA Galaxy Vs. Toronto FC, 2012 CONCACAF Champions League: Reds Advance With 2-1 Win

LA Galaxy fans will be quick to blame the referee for their elimination from the CONCACAF Champions League, but that would not give fair credit to Toronto FC or acknowledge the simple reality that while LA wasted chance after chance, Toronto was able to convert on the few they had. That's what it came down to. the Galaxy had their chances and couldn't convert, while the Reds made the most of theirs and booked their spot in the semifinals with a 2-1 win in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

TFC were first on the scoreboard when Ryan Johnson pulled away from Tommy Meyer and got on the end of a floated cross from Nick Soolsma. Johnson's header was perfect, back across the face of goal and just inside the post to put the Reds in front 1-0 in the match and 3-2 on aggregate.

After several chances went begging, LA equalized, but it wasn't because they learned how to finish. Instead, Ty Harden put it in his own net. Landon Donovan got free down the right and when he crossed for Robbie Keane, Harden came sliding in to intervene, only his intervention put the ball in the back of his own net and LA were even on aggregate and set to go through on away goals.

In the end, what the match came down was LA's missed opportunities. Mike Magee and Edson Buddle each missed golden chances in the first half and the referee incorrectly waved off a Magee goal and a Donovan penalty as well. In the second half, Robbie Keane missed a handful of good chance, while Buddle and Juninho missed the frame on good opportunities as well. The Galaxy had every chance to win the match and the tie, but they didn't take them, unlike their Canadian opponents who finished when given the chance and took their spot in the semifinals.