CARSON, Calif. – Adam Cristman, Dan Keat and Pat Noonan each scored in the opening 45 minutes and the Galaxy held on for a 3-2 win over Chivas USA on Thursday afternoon at The Home Depot Center. Playing their final preseason game of the year at The Home Depot Center, the Galaxy scored three goals in an 18 minute span late in the opening half to take control of the game and get their first win of the year over an MLS opposition.
WATCH: Full Match Highlights
Using a lineup comprised primarily of players that did not play in Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to Montreal, the Galaxy took early command of the match when Dan Keat got free at the top of the box and sent a right-footed shot on goal, only for Dan Kennedy to tip the shot over the crossbar for a corner kick.
After Bill Gaudette was called upon to make a pair of saves at the other end of the field, the Galaxy were able to open the scoring in the 21st minute when Pat Noonan scored his first goal of the preseason. Adam Cristman collected a pass at the top of the box and quickly played the ball out to Noonan on the left. Noonan was then able to cut past one defender and get the ball onto his right foot before dispatching a shot past Kennedy for a 1-0 Galaxy lead.
Cristman doubled the lead 10 minutes later when he opportunistically pounced on a poor touch from Kennedy and was able to dribble around the Chivas USA keeper and slot his shot into the open net, making the score 2-0.
The Galaxy got a third six minutes before the halftime break when Dan Keat scored his second goal of the preseason. Rafael Garcia, a Supplemental Draft pick from Cal State Northridge, got free inside the box and was able to run at goal before playing the ball off to Keat, who hit a first time shot past Kennedy to give LA a 3-0 lead heading into the break.
They would need every one of those goals as Chivas struck twice after the break, first through Michael Lahoud in the 52nd minute and then again 25 minutes later, in the 77th minute when Cesar Romero scored to make the score 3-2.
MATCH PHOTO GALLERY
LA Galaxy 3, Chivas USA 2
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The Home Depot Center – Carson, Calif.
Scoring Summary:
LA – Pat Noonan (Adam Cristman) 21’
LA – Adam Cristman (Unassisted) 31’
LA – Dan Keat (Rafael Garcia) 39’
CHV – Michael Lahoud (Unassisted) 52’
CHV – Cesar Romero (Jorge Villafana) 77’
Misconduct Summary:
CHV – Nick LaBrocca (Yellow Card) 61’
LA – Kyle Nakazawa (Yellow Card) 73’
Lineup:
LA Galaxy: Bill Gaudette (Nick Noble 39’); Justin Davies, Andrew Boyens (Tommy Meyer 77’), Bryan Gaul, J.T. Murray (Todd Dunivant 84’); Hector Jimenez ( Michael Stephens 67’), Dan Keat Rafael Garcia, Pat Noonan; Jack McBean (Kyle Nakazawa 70’), Adam Cristman.
Referee: Chris Penso
