CARSON, Calif. – The “Three Points” of the LA Galaxy’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur…
OMAR GONZALEZ GETS EXTENDED MINUTES AGAINST SPURS
WATCH: Omar Gonzalez Postgame Interview
Is Omar Gonzalez back to full fitness? Only time will tell, but after a stellar showing against Tottenham, the center back appeared to be back to his old self.
In 63 minutes of action—his longest amount of playing time since his ACL surgery in January—Gonzalez created a powerful defensive tandem with David Junior Lopes that was able to snuff out several Tottenham attacks. However, what was most impressive about Gonzalez’s stint against Tottenham was his speed as he was able to repeatedly slow down forward Jermaine Defoe and prevent him from creating scoring chances.
With a strong performance against Tottenham in the books, Gonzalez provided the Galaxy coaching staff with every reason to make him available for a full 90 minutes—possibly as soon as Saturday’s game against FC Dallas.
YOUNGSTERS GET A RUN OUT.
In the lead up to the Tottenham friendly, Bruce Arena promised minutes for some of his youngest players and he delivered on Tuesday night.
With Landon Donovan and David Beckham on MLS All-Star duty, Arena gave extensive playing time for his youngest players against the English Premier League club. This youth movement went into full effect at the start of the second half when Arena made seven changes from the starting XI. When the changes were complete, the Galaxy lineup included six rookies and a pair of 18-year-old's -- Jose Villarreal and Jack McBean -- up top.
Although many of them had fewer than five MLS appearances under their belt, the Galaxy’s youngsters acquitted themselves well as they were instrumental in helping LA hold on for the draw.
BALE PROVIDES ONE MAN SHOW AGAINST GALAXY
Highlights: LA 1, THFC 1
While Gonzalez’s rapidly improving health and a strong showing for LA’s youngsters was the story on the Galaxy side, for Tottenham, the night belonged to Gareth Bale.
With Spurs’ chief attraction, Dutch midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart forced to come out due to an apparent groin injury in the 21st minute, the onus was on the Welshman to provide a show for The Home Depot Center crowd and he aptly delivered. From the start, Bale’s flashy speed and ball control wowed spectators and helped Spurs generate several dangerous scoring chances.
However, it was not the Welshman’s quick feet but his head that provided Tottenham’s lone goal as he coolly finished a Gylfi Sigurdsson cross in the 17th minute with a thumping header over a diving Brian Perk.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider, read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider
