CARSON, Calif. – San Penedo delivered another miracle for the LA Galaxy on Sunday as LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo stole the show in the club’s 1-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC.
Penedo was divine in goal with an MLS career-high 10 saves against the Sounders, falling just one short of Kevin Hartman’s Galaxy record set way back in 2003. Whether it was with a swift reaction save or an easy catch to the chest, Penedo was constantly in the right place at the right time for the Galaxy in the badly needed win.
“It was a very important game for us. During the season, I think there are three or four games that you’re really looking forward to. This was an early game this season, and we got a result,” Penedo said after the win. “I think the most important thing was that the team ran a lot and the defensive line was strong. Any save I make that helps the team is important to me.”
Penedo’s performance was timely given the Galaxy’s long list of absences heading into a crucial match against Seattle. With Robbie Keane (groin), Jose Villarreal (hamstring), Mika Vayrynen (calf) and Leonardo (quadriceps) all dealing with injuries, Galaxy boss Bruce Arena said it was “critical” that players like Penedo stepped up to help a shorthanded LA squad.
“He had an excellent performance tonight,” Arena said. “Real big saves in the first half and got off his line on a couple of occasions in the second half, he played real well tonight.”
Defender Omar Gonzalez agreed, noting that Penedo’s magnificent effort gave the Galaxy the time that they needed to find the game-winner.
“He kept us in the game. When your ‘keeper makes those brilliant, key saves that keep the score at zero-zero, it gives you an opportunity to make something happen,” Gonzalez told reporters after the win. “And sure enough, after Jaime made those saves, we scored, and then later in the game, he made some more key saves. I think that he played brilliantly, and kept us in striking position throughout.”
Even though Penedo admitted to being pleased with each of his 10 saves, he acknowledged that his point-blank stop of Andy Rose’s shot in the 53rd minute made him say “wow.”
“I think there was one that I honestly don’t know how I did it. It was in the second half, where [Rose was] right in front of me, and it just bounced off of me. It all happened very fast,” Penedo said. “You don’t have time to think. All you try to do is try and be there next to the post. I just happened to be standing there.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at www.LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
