CARSON, Calif. – It had been almost a year since Brian Rowe manned the nets for the LA Galaxy, but the 25-year-old goalkeeper looked like he’d been there all season long in Friday’s 6-0 trouncing of the Colorado Rapids in front of 18,145 at StubHub Center.
Rowe’s last official appearance was Oct. 16, 2013 in a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Impact. Jaime Penedo had taken over at No. 1 on the depth chart at the position and had played all but two games this season, relegating Rowe to mostly duties with the team’s USL PRO side, LA Galaxy II.
The former UCLA standout originally was selected by Chivas USA in the second round of the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft and then joined the Galaxy that July. He did not make an appearance with the big club in his rookie year but he did make four appearances (all starts) last season and even had a pair of shutouts.
Rowe said playing with Galaxy II helped him stay sharp and prepare him for an opportunity like Friday, when he subbed for Penedo, now with Panama’s national team in the Copa Centroamericana. Rowe likely will start Wednesday in Montreal, too, while Penedo is away.
“It felt great,” Rowe said of Friday’s start. Central defender Omar Gonzalez then leaned in to congratulate him during a post-match interview. “It always feels good to get out there and get a good result like that.”
Rowe wasn’t tested much but he was credited with five saves, including one on a point-blank attempt by Colorado forward Edson Buddle in the 69th minute from just outside the goal area.
“I actually thought it came off his hands,” Rowe said with a grin. “It was a good touch that went to him. I tried to close the space as fast as I could, and I was fortunate enough to get a thigh on it.”
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena was impressed with Rowe’s effort.
“He looked really comfortable in goal and confident,” he said. “Sometimes it can go either way. Obviously it was a good game for him to get settled into. He wasn’t under a whole lot of pressure, but he did a good job.”
Rowe said getting an up-close at the red-hot Galaxy, winners of five games in a row, gave him a new appreciation of just how well the club has been playing lately.
“We have a lot of depth, a lot of guys can come in and fill spots,” he said. “It just seems we’re clicking well, guys are getting in good spots and defending well.
“It definitely makes it a fun team experience, a fun locker room experience to play like this and know you’re going to get opportunities.”
The team played so well Friday he said he didn’t have to do much talking to his back line.
“Whether they heard me or not,” he said with a smile, “they did a great job
