CARSON, Calif. – A week ago, the LA Galaxy could not have been more pleased with a hard-fought draw on the road against the Portland Timbers, but the script was flipped on Saturday when LA were left frustrated after a maddening 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo at StubHub Center.
The Galaxy were riding high after Robbie Keane scored three minutes into the match, but just eight minutes later, a defensive breakdown on a Dynamo corner kick, resulted in a Nathan Sturgis goal that was the final tally of the evening.
Following the goal, an energetic Houston side stood toe-to-toe with the reigning MLS Cup champions as the Galaxy appeared disjointed until a late second-half flourish that nearly saw LA take three points from the match.
After losing Sturgis on the Houston goal that ultimately sparked the Dynamo’s rally, it was Rogers who had the perfect summation for the game. Simply put, “it was a bummer.”
“There were moments in the game where we were matching their intensity, and especially in the first half, but I thought in the first half they probably outworked us, and that was probably a big difference,” said left back Robbie Rogers. “We can't let that happen, especially at home. We can't let teams come in here and outwork us.”
Center back Omar Gonzalez agreed while admitting that the result was a stark contrast to LA’s excitement over their 2-2 draw against the Timbers a week ago.
“The last draw in Portland felt like a win, this draw felt like a loss. We want to win at home every chance we get, and when you don’t it’s very upsetting not only for the players, but for the fans. So the draw isn’t good enough,” said Gonzalez. “Next time we’re at home, we want to get three points no matter what. We need three points every single game. So we can’t keep dropping points, and I’m saying this now because it’s very important that we get these points now because in the end of the season it’s going to be very important.”
No one was more frustrated by the Galaxy’s showing, however, than their captain.
During the run of play, Keane looked visible annoyed as he tried to urge his teammates forward and find space to exploit the Dynamo. However, despite his efforts, Keane was unable to find the back of the net a second time as the Irishman missed two clear opportunities to give the Galaxy the lead.
Following the match, the 1-1 draw had left a bitter taste in the mouth of the Keane who admitted to reporters that he was not in the best of moods.
“We need to get better. We can’t keep carrying on after every game, I know we’re only three games in, I keep saying it’s going to take four or five games. But when you have a game that’s there for the taking, playing at home, off to a great start, and give a silly goal away. At this level, it’s not good enough,” Keane said. “We’re going to get punished. … We need to start being focused on that.”
Keane, who will head off to join the Republic of Ireland for their Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland will not be present when the Galaxy face D.C. United next weekend, but the Irishman says LA must start to improve or risk falling into an early season malaise.
“When people come here, we have to understand as a team that people want to beat us all the time. And we have to accept that every week, that when people play against us, they want to beat the Galaxy,” Keane said. “And the sooner we realize that, the better because we are not going to get any easier rides in any game today, the game against Portland was the same ... People are going to make it hard for the Galaxy this year, so we need to make sure that we’re on top of the ball at all times, and make sure we’re not giving away any silly goals.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
