CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano offers his Three Points to the LA Galaxy’s 1-1 draw with Chivas USA. Erick Torres scored for the Rojbilancos while Gyasi Zardes tallied for the Galaxy.
GALAXY BATTLE BACK TO EARN A DRAW
The LA Galaxy were unable to battle back from a first half defensive miscue as they earn a 1-1 draw against their cross-hall rivals Chivas USA.
Disjointed from the start, an error along the backline proved costly in the 20th minute when a ball deflected off the feet of Leonardo, falling perfectly for Erick “Cubo” Torres who slotted the pall past Galaxy ‘keeper Jaime Penedo.
Immediately after the goal, the Galaxy began to press the Rojiblancos defense and broke through in the 35th minute when Marcelo Sarvas crossed a ball that Gyasi Zardes buried into the back of the Chivas net.
But in the second half, Chivas dropped considerable numbers in the penalty area in an effort to negate the Galaxy attack. Although Arena threw on Rob Friend and Chandler Hoffman in an attempt to find a winning goal, the Rojiblancos hold on for a point.
DEFENSIVE CHANGES DO NOT PAY OFF EARLY
Bruce Arena tried out a new back four for the LA Galaxy’s match against Chivas USA and the results were mixed.
Arena opted off A.J. DeLaGarza in the center of defense alongside Leonardo while Robbie Rogers and Dan Gargan were placed at right and left back respectively. The move appeared to leave the Galaxy disorganized at the start and in the 20th minute, Chivas capitalized on an unfortunate deflection as Erick Torres put Chivas ahead. After the goal, the Galaxy became more organized defensively as Chivas posed little threat for the rest of the match.
One of the few bright spots on the evening was the play of Rogers who negated Mauro Rosales and provided fair along the left side. With Todd Dunivant injured, Rogers proved to be a viable option along the left side of defense.
THOUGHTS ON THE SEASON TO DATE
The LA Galaxy head into the two-week break for the group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup as a team still in development.
With their draw against Chivas, the Galaxy find themselves in seventh place in the Western Conference with just 17 points in 12 games and a 4-3-5 record. The team’s considerable number of games in hand should provide the team with some solace, but with a number of frustrating results, the Galaxy will head into the break knowing that they could be much higher in the standings.
Of course, the “break” is hardly much of one as the Galaxy will begin their participation in the U.S. Open Cup on June 18 on the road against USL PRO side Arizona United SC.
