FRISCO, Texas. – The “Three Points” to the LA Galaxy’s 1-0 victory over FC Dallas.
MAGEE AND KEANE COMBINE WELL IN THE ATTACK
Highlights: DAL 0, LA 1
No David Beckham, No Landon Donovan, no problem for the LA Galaxy.
With Donovan and Beckham absent, the Galaxy needed someone to pick up the slack and the forward pairing of Robbie Keane and Mike Magee rightly delivered against FC Dallas. Throughout the first half, the pair combined for several dangerous chances, but were unable to break through the Dallas’ back four.
The tandem finally paid off in the 62nd minute when a Keane pass put Magee in plenty of space at the top of the box. Without pressure from the Dallas defense, Magee unleashed a curling left footed shot that proved too much for FCD ‘keeper Kevin Hartman.
With the victory, LA extended their unbeaten streak in MLS play to five games.
FERREIRA SHUT DOWN BY SARVAS AND JUNINHO
Following a two assist performance against the Portland Timbers a week before, FC Dallas’ David Ferreira struggled mightily against the Galaxy’s Brazilian midfield tandem of Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas.
Against the Galaxy, Ferreira was seemingly challenged each time that he touched the ball—particularly by the more physical Sarvas, who limited the Colombian’s chances. With Ferreira off his game, Dallas midfielder Andrew Jacobson was forced to play a larger role to create offense for FCD, but the two-way midfielder was unable to help generate the tying goal.
OMAR GONZALEZ GOES 90 MINUTES FOR LA
In his first 90 minute appearance since off season knee surgery, Omar Gonzalez seemed right at home as the leader of the Galaxy back four.
Throughout the match, Gonzalez was able to limit chances for FC Dallas attackers and appeared settled alongside David Junior Lopes in central defense. The hulking center backs repeatedly caused problems for the Dallas attack as they were able to bat away dangerous crosses, limiting the amount of pressure FCD created in the box.
Gonzalez’s contributions were not merely on the defensive end as the center back provided an offensive dimension to his game with a smart header in the first half that led to a Galaxy scoring opportunity.