CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano offers his Three Points from the Galaxy’s dramatic 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo.
LA GALAXY RETURN TO WINNING WAY THANKS TO GORDON’S HEROICS
LA Galaxy seemed destined for a scoreless draw with the Houston Dynamo but some more late game heroics from Alan Gordon got the Galaxy to get back to winning ways.
The Galaxy bossed the Dynamo for much of the match but could not capitalize on their possession advantage. Once Bruce Arena slotted Gordon and Robbie Keane into the lineup, the Galaxy attack received a much needed shot in the arm as the veterans posed major problems for the Dynamo defense.
The Gordon and Keane connection finally paid off in stoppage time as Keane delivered a beautiful cross that found Gordon waiting in the penalty area for the game-winner. Gordon has proven to be the club’s most valuable player to date as three of four of his goals this season have either helped the Galaxy earn a win or a draw.
ROBBIE KEANE RETURNS FROM INJURY
Robbie Keane returned from a near two month-long, eight-game injury layoff on Friday, going 34 minutes in the Galaxy’s 1-0 victory.
Making his first appearance since suffering a groin strain against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on April 4, Keane showed no signs of rust as he looked fit in his second-half cameo. Keane’s impact was almost immediate as he helped spark a dangerous chance for Alan Gordon that nearly ended up in the back of Houston net.
All was forgiven in stoppage time, however, as the pair connected for the game-winner that helped the Galaxy snap their five-game winless streak.
…OSCAR SORTO MAKES HIS FIRST START AND IS SENT OFF
Oscar Sorto made his first career start for the LA Galaxy by filling in for a depleted LA defense at left back.
Throughout the match, Sorto saw little action but performed well as he was tasked with slowing down speedy Honduran midfielder Boniek Garcia. With the Galaxy dominating possession, Sorto was rarely tested, but as the match wore on, the Dynamo began to pressure the youngster but the 20-year-old held firm to help the Galaxy preserve the shutout. Sorto’s best bit of defending came in the 81st minute when he stripped Brad Davis along the edge of the penalty area, preventing a dangerous Houston counter.
Sorto’s night took a turn for the worst in stoppage time however, as the left back was given a straight red card for a foul on David Horst. Although Sorto will miss LA’s match against Real Salt Lake, expect him back in the lineup when he returns after giving a strong performance.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
