LA’s Strategy
Bruce Arena gave a start to Robbie Keane even though he had only arrived at the club 48 hours prio. Keane took the place of Juan Pablo Angel up top and paired with Adam Cristman. The 4-4-2 formation placed Juninho and Beckham in the center of midfield and Donovan and Franklin out wide. In defense, Frankie Hejduk got the start at right back, his second start of the season. The veteran defender conceded a couple of fouls that made it look like he was slightly off the pace of the game, but overall he handled himself well and had a solid evening.
San Jose’s Strategy
Frank Yallop set his side in a 4-4-2 as well. The strikers were Wondolowski and Stephenson, who played slightly deeper of the two. Gjertsen played wide right and was most dangerous cutting inside of Dunivant rather than swing in crosses from out wide. Bringing energy and endeavor from the left side was Bobby Convey, but he was ineffective at providing service for the two forwards. Baca and Corrales played in central midfield. Corrales was the more creative player, looking for through balls and trying to find his forwards going towards goal, to which he had moderate success.
Galaxy Take Lead After Roaring out of the Gates
The home side looked eager to show off their new attacking addition at the outset of the match. The movement between Keane and Cristman was great early on. One striker would come to the ball while the other was trying to get in behind. They also had a few scissor movements which especially confused San Jose’s back line. In the opening minute, Juninho put Cristman through on goal and the striker’s stop and go movement allowed him to get a shot away that went just wide.
Early on, the Galaxy passing was sharp and very quick giving San Jose little time to react. The away side looked outclassed and overwhelmed at the start. The fast start paid off in the 21st minute as the Galaxy took the lead through Keane. Beckham took a quick free kick from the center circle that was misplayed by Hernandez. This error gave Keane an open path to goal and the Irish international rounded Jon Busch and finished with ease.
The partnership of Beckham and Juninho worked better than v Portland. Playing against two in midfield and against a side that did not counter attack made the defensive duties for the central players easy to manage. Unlike San Jose, Portland used a quick counter and also dropped a striker deep to pick up the ball. It was disappointing to see Yallop not try to exploit this as a possible weakness.
Galaxy Lay off the Gas & San Jose Comes to Life
At around the half hour mark, LA seemed content to sit back and let San Jose control the ball and the run of play. The Galaxy dropped off to the midfield line and would only pressure once San Jose crossed into their half. The home side appeared to be content to hold a one goal lead going into the locker room. The Quakes were able to control the match, but did not have the quality or the creativity to break down the Galaxy defense. San Jose lacked ideas and Wondolowski and Stephenson were hardly involved in the attack. Instead, San Jose found most of their success out wide through Convey or Gjertsen cutting inside from the right.
However, the Quakes were able to fashion a couple of half chances. Gjertsen cut inside and had a shot saved by Saunders in the 24th minute. Seven minutes later, Baca had a go from distance that was saved. To start
San Jose go Down to Ten & LA add a Second
The strong fight back by San Jose to try and equalize seemed to be fading a little passed the hour mark. Just before being subbed off, Keane nearly replicated his first goal in the 64th minute but put the shot over. Yallop went to the bench to try and provide a spark in the 71st minute. He took off Wondolowski (who did not look happy) and Stephenson and brought on Dawkins and newly acquired Ecuadorian Edmundo Zura. Bruce Arena then brought on Mike Magee for Robbie Keane, who most likely is working towards full fitness.
Ten minutes later, San Jose was reduced to ten men after Steven Beitashour was sent off. The Quakes defender jumped over a sliding Landon Donovan but he left a foot down and his studs connected with Donovan’s knee. The incident looked like it could have been avoided as the replays showed Beitashour looking down at Donovan before extending his boot towards him.
After the sending off, the match looked like a formality. The Galaxy had chances from crosses but Lopez and Magee were unable to finish. Then, in the 90th minute, LA finished off the match. Donovan played it wide to Franklin whose ground cross found Mike Magee rushing to the near post, and he put the ball by Busch before the keeper could come out and collect the cross.
Conclusions
LA definitely deserved the three points and were the better side. With the addition of Keane, LA finally have a consistent goal scorer. One downside to the win was the play of Sean Franklin. He did not look comfortable playing in the midfield and was missing in action for much of the match. He should return to right back and Magee or Stephens should play in midfield.
Also, the Galaxy cannot think that they are the best team and not go out and show it on the field. For large stretches, they looked content and almost uninterested. Bruce Arena has the job to push the Galaxy to play hard every match if they are to pick up the Supporters Shield, MLS Cup and advance into the Champions League.
San Jose looks lost and appears to have no shot at making the playoffs. The Quakes have no ability to create chances and thus score goals. Yallop should try and experiment with a new formation to try and breathe life into the attack. A change from the 4-4-2 may not be the answer, but the status quo could certainly cost the experienced manager his job.
Thoughts on LA with Keane? Or how to rejuvenate San Jose?
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