FRISCO, Texas – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides his Three Points to the LA Galaxy’s 2-1 defeat to FC Dallas.
DEFENSE HOLDS UNTIL FC DALLAS WINS IT LATE
The LA Galaxy held firm against the vaunted FC Dallas attack for 77 minutes but ultimately it wasn’t enough as Dallas scored twice the final 13 minutes to snap LA’s five-game unbeaten streak.
For much of the first half, the play of an aggressive LA defense—and a few clutch saves by Jaime Penedo—kept Dallas off the board. However, that same aggression cost LA dearly in the 77th minute as Mauro Diaz was able to shake a sliding Juninho and chip the Galaxy defense allowing Blas Perez to score the equalizer. Dallas found their winner 12 minutes later when Tesho Akindele launched a blistering shot past the outstretched arms of Penedo to give Dallas three points.
As they look to recover from this result, the Galaxy will have to do so without right back Dan Gargan who will be suspended for their match against Orlando City SC due to yellow card accumulation after earning his fifth caution of the season in the first half.
GYASI ZARDES GETS THE GOAL; CAN IT CONTINUE?
Gyasi Zardes has looked a tad rusty so far this season, but after his goal against FC Dallas, could a scoring run be far behind?
Zardes bagged the opening goal for the Galaxy in the 59th minute when he got his head to a Stefan Ishizaki corner kick. After his breakout 16-goal season a year ago, the Galaxy will hope that his tally against Dallas will provide Zardes with the confidence to start the 23-year-old on a little scoring run.
With Robbie Keane still suffering from a groin strain and Jose Villarreal dealing with a hamstring issue of his own, the Galaxy could desperately use more production from the striker.
SET PIECES & AERIAL THREATS
The LA Galaxy offense hasn’t showed much this season but it appears that they’ve developed a habit of scoring on set pieces.
To date, the Galaxy have scored five of their 11 goals off dead-ball opportunities. Four of those goals, coming directly off corner kicks.
A year after being known for their “tiki-taco” possession style, the Galaxy have become more direct club in 2015, tallying four of their 11 goals from headers.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
