CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides his Three Points to the Galaxy’s 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo. Robbie Keane scored the lone goal for LA.
TALE OF TWO HALVES: GALAXY START STRONG AND FALL OFF IN THE FIRST HALF
The LA Galaxy needed just three minutes to take the lead on Saturday night, but their first half showing was riddled with inconsistent and, at times, sloppy play.
After Robbie Keane gave LA the advantage after just three minutes a defensive breakdown on a Dynamo corner resulted in Nathan Sturgis equalizing for the visitors eight minutes later. After their goal, it was the energetic Dynamo who appeared the stronger side as the Galaxy’s poor distribution in the center of the park left the LA attack starved of service in the first half.
The Dynamo attack were ill-equipped to capitalize on LA’s poor distribution, but the fact that Houston outworked the Galaxy was a warning sign for the defending MLS Cup champions early in the season.
GALAXY BATTLE BACK BUT STILL DRAW
Following a frustrating first half, the inclusion of Mika Vayrynen breathed some life into the LA Galaxy midfield, but ultimately, it was not enough for the Galaxy to earn all three points.
Once the Finnish midfielder came onto the field in the 69th minute, Vayrynen’s presence seemed to settle the Galaxy in the center of the park. With Vayrynen calming things down in the middle, the Galaxy attack began to have greater success against Houston, and could have found the back of the net, if not for heroic goalkeeping by Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric who made three saves in the second half. The best of Deric's stops coming on Vayrynen's own booming shot in the 71st minute of play that forced a great diving stop from the 'keeper.
Given Vayrynen’s performances in his two substitute appearances, look for the Finn to challenge for a starting spot in the midfield when LA take on D.C. next week.
WHO REPLACES KEANE FOR THE GALAXY AGAINST D.C.?
Ahead of next week’s match on the road against D.C. United, the LA Galaxy will need someone to step up and revive an attack that appeared listless at times on Saturday.
Edson Buddle and Alan Gordon made brief yet energetic cameos in the draw against Houston, but will likely be asked to pick up the slack with Robbie Keane away on international duty. While Gordon’s target presence makes him a known commodity, Buddle is still somewhat of a mystery as the 33-year-old forward is admittedly less than match fit after missing the latter half of the preseason with a calf injury.
With their captain and leading scorer away, Buddle and Gordon will have as good a chance as anyone to step up when the Galaxy travel cross-country to RFK Stadium next week.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
