LAS VEGAS – Gyasi Zardes scored the game’s only goal as the LA Galaxy defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 in a preseason friendly at Las Vegas’ Cashman Field.
Newcomer Nigel de Jong made his preseason debut for the Galaxy, going 54 minutes in the victory. The Dutch midfielder is scheduled to be unveiled before the Southern California media at a press conference on Tuesday.
Starting a near first-choice lineup, Bruce Arena's Galaxy side set the tempo early on as they enjoyed the lion share of possession in the first half. When the Earthquakes did break forward, the Galaxy were able there to snuff out the danger with Jelle Van Damme repeatedly making timely stops throughout his 45-minute shift.
Los Angeles broke through in the 27th minute when Robbie Keane dribbled past a San Jose defender and found Zardes for an easy header at the back post. The goal was the first of the preseason for the Galaxy striker.
In the second half, LA continued to control the rhythm of the match with San Jose rarely testing the Galaxy’s back four. The Galaxy nearly doubled their lead in the 79th minute when Keane launched a shot from inside the penalty area that was parried away by San Jose 'keeper David Bingham.
Sebastian Lletget made his preseason debut for the Galaxy after coming in the 61st minute. The 23-year-old has missed much of training camp with a groin injury. Lletget nearly made an immediate impact in the 69th minute when he dribbled past two Quakes defenders on the endline but was unable to find a teammate in the box.
The Galaxy will complete the preseason next Wednesday when they host the Seattle Sounders in a closed-door scrimmage. Los Angeles will then turn their attention to the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal first leg against Santos Laguna on Feb. 24 at StubHub Center.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at www.LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
LA Galaxy 1, San Jose Earthquakes 0
Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 – 7:00 p.m. PT
Preseason Exhibition
Cashman Field – Las Vegas, Nev.
Scoring Summary:
LA - Gyasi Zardes (Assisted by Robbie Keane) 27’
Misconduct Summary:
None
Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Dan Kennedy; Robbie Rogers (Oscar Sorto 76’), Daniel Steres (Dan Gargan 81’), Jelle Van Damme (Dave Romney 45’), Ashley Cole (Josh Turnley 71’); Giovani dos Santos (Jose Villarreal 76’), Steven Gerrard (Rafael Garcia 81’), Nigel de Jong (Baggio Husidic 54’), Emmanuel Boateng (Sebastian Lletget 61’); Robbie Keane © (Ariel Lassiter 81’), Gyasi Zardes (Mike Magee 64’).
Substitutions not used: Brian Rowe.
San Jose Earthquakes: David Bingham; Marvell Wynne (Matheus Silva 62’), Clarence Goodson (JJ Koval 62’), Shaun Francis (Kip Colvey 62’), Victor Bernardez (Andres Imperiale 62’); Shea Salinas (Mark Sherrod 62’), Anibal Godoy (Adam Jahn 70’), Cordell Cato (Matias Perez Garcia 62’), Simon Dawkins (Tommy Thompson 62’); Quincy Amerikwa (Chad Barrett 62’), Chris Wondolowski (Innocent 62’).
Substitutions not used: Sanna Nyassi, Bryan Meredith, Patrick Hodan.
