HOUSTON – There wasn’t anything pretty about the LA Galaxy’s performance against the Houston Dynamo at a sweltering BBVA Compass Stadium, but five-time MLS Cup champs got the job done.
Alan Gordon scored the game’s only goal to help the Galaxy earn a 1-0 victory over the Dynamo and secure the third seed in the MLS Western Conference. The win as well as a draw by Real Salt Lake and a loss by Seattle Sounders FC secured the Galaxy a home date for the MLS Knockout Round.
Following the team’s first losing streak of the season, the result in the trying conditions was just what the Galaxy needed.
“This was a must-win in our eyes. We wanted to pick up some momentum going into the playoffs and show ourselves that we could fight for each other and be a solid team…and we showed that to ourselves,” Gordon said. It takes heart to get through a game like that. It takes heart to win away from home in these conditions. We all dug deep and fought for each other. There were a lot positives and unsung heroes grinding it out. Everyone deserves credit for this one.”
Added head coach Bruce Arena, “We got the job done. There’s not much more you can say. It was not an easy day with the conditions… to come out on top at this time in the season where the points are important, it’s a great result for us.”
LA dominated for large stretches of the match with the hosts content to drop back and absorb pressure. However, despite repeated attempts on goal, the Galaxy were unable to get past an organized Houston back four and their superb goalkeeper Joe Willis.
The visitors finally got their goal in the 72nd minute when the Galaxy strung together a neat passing sequence that culminated with Houston’s David Horst launching a failed clearance into the leg of Gordon and into the back of the net.
The goal won’t win any style points for the Galaxy, but Baggio Husidic admitted that it was a perfect analogy for a sloppy game.
“That goal completely describes this game,” Husidic said. “Looking back at the game, we did have some really good opportunities but we just lacked some position in front of goal. Those moments will come, but we’re all feeling really good going forward.”
With their home playoff game secured, the Galaxy will turn their attentions to the final match of the regular season at home against FC Dallas. After the much-needed victory in Houston, the Galaxy are hoping to close the season with another win ahead of a run to another MLS Cup.
“We need to build off what we’ve done today,” Husidic said. “We still don’t have a set team and guys are competing like crazy during training, so it’s everyone’s duty to train hard and hopefully in that lineup on Saturday and ultimately be in the first XI come the playoff game.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
