PORTLAND, Ore. – The LA Galaxy picked up a deserved point in an exciting 2-2 draw with the Portland Timbers on Sunday at Providence Park, but there was one question lingering over the result.
Did the Galaxy’s finishing cost them two points?
After recovering from a poor opening 20 minutes, the Galaxy found themselves in the drivers’ seat as they dominated possession and created numerous chances in front of goal. However, until a pair of second-half strikes—including an Alan Gordon finish in the closing seconds—the Galaxy were unable to capitalize on the opportunities they generated in front of the Timbers' net.
Given the wet and windy conditions that made the Providence Park turf even more difficult to play on than usual, goal scorer Gyasi Zardes felt like the Galaxy’s strikers played well considering the circumstances.
“You know it’s always difficult playing on a turf field, especially with the wind but no excuses,” Zardes said. “I do think I lacked a finishing touch [at times] but I got a goal, which is important.”
Don’t mistake Zardes’ own candor about his finishing as the young striker being disappointed about the result, however.
“I think to be honest we played an excellent game,” said Zardes. “The first 20 minutes was so-so but after that I felt like we killed it. We kept possession, we had multiple opportunities but just couldn’t put the ball away.”
Zardes admitted to struggling in front of goal, but Galaxy captain Robbie Keane was unfazed by the performance, and offered his take in his own signature style.
“Four goals in two games is pretty good. People get greedy some times,” Keane said. “You’re not going to score loads of goals every game because that’s why teams have defenders and goalkeepers to make it difficult.
“The chances that we had, we didn’t have any clear cut ones. We had some volleys and my chance in the first half that looked like it was going in, but [Borchers] blocked it. It was unlucky, but if you can average two goals every game, that’s not bad, is it?”
A draw on the road in just their second game of the season was a major plus for the Galaxy and head coach Bruce Arena scoffed at the notion that his team will struggle in front of goal this season.
After all, there’s still plenty of soccer left to play.
“Don’t worry about September and October. We’re worried about [facing the Houston Dynamo] next Saturday now,” Arena said with a grin. “I’m happy you all have us ready for September and October but we have a lot of games ahead to make our team better.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
