COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jon Kempin stated his case for the LA Galaxy’s goalkeeping position with a valiant performance in the team’s 2-0 defeat to Columbus Crew SC on Wednesday.
Kempin made five saves including two penalty kick stops in the loss as he made his first league start since May. Given the nod with in goal Brian Rowe back home due to a coaches’ decision from Sigi Schmid, Kempin was steady as he kept the Galaxy within striking distance of Columbus doubled their lead on Justin Meram’s tally in the dying seconds.
Kempin’s heroics helped the goalkeeper became the fifth netminder in league history to make two penalty kick saves, albeit the only one to do so in a losing effort. Although the 24-year-old Kansan shined in Columbus, the young ‘keeper admitted that the two goals he allowed left a sour taste in his mouth.
“I still would like to save both those goals, I think I can save both those goals,” Kempin said. “At the end of the day, I think if you ask any goalie he’s going to say he wants to save them so like I said, just save those PK’s, do your job during the game and then hopefully we get one there at the end. I was hoping we could get one off set pieces and we’d come out with a tie, or we’d come out with a win.”
Kempin and the Galaxy will now have three days to prepare for their California Clásico clash with the San Jose Earthquakes. After his showing in Central Ohio, Kempin heads into the match a favorite to retain his starting role, but he believes Rowe and fellow netminder Clement Diop will have provided heated competition heading into Sunday.
“I think it was always competition; you know we have three great goalkeepers. We’re always pushing each other trying to get each other better so at the end of the day whoever Sigi picks will get the job done,” Kempin said. “We know that. We’re confident in that, so we’re just going to continue to work to get better and push each other.
“[Who starts in goal] is up to Sigi, but I’m going to continue to work hard in training this week and obviously I want to be playing in that game.”
