CARSON, Calif. — The LA Galaxy held on to beat the Los Angeles Blues 3-2 on Tuesday at The Home Depot Center in a training game that mostly featured players that didn’t get playing time over the weekend.
Adam Cristman gave the Galaxy a 1-0 lead midway through the first half after being set up by fellow forward Chad Barrett. Barrett then doubled the Galaxy lead early in the second half by converting a penalty kick to make the score 2-0 in the 48th minute.
The Galaxy scored their third and final goal of the game when Hector Jimenez, who came off the bench for Kenney Walker in the 63rd minute, was pulled down in the box, giving the Galaxy a second penalty attempt. Jimenez stepped up to take the penalty and converted it, giving his squad a 3-0 lead in the 67th minute.
Carlos Borja scored twice for the Blues in the final 20 minutes to make the score 3-2, but that would be as close as the USL Pro side would get and the Galaxy held on for the victory.
Galaxy defender Leonardo made his first appearance in a game since suffering a devastating knee injury almost a year to the date last April in Chicago. He came on for Tommy Meyer to play in the final 10 minutes of the first half with his teammates and coaches giving him a rousing ovation upon coming onto the field.
READ: Year after injury, Leonardo suits up for Galaxy reserves
“Psychologically it’s great for him,” said LA Galaxy Reserve Team Head Coach Curt Onalfo. “It’s been a long road and he’s really making progress. It was good to see him for 10 minutes.”
Tommy Meyer re-entered the game at halftime in place of the Brazilian defender, but Leonardo was happy to get the opportunity to play, even for a few short minutes.
“It was 10 very important minutes,” Leonardo said. “I need more games, more training sessions in order to return (to first team action).”
LA Galaxy 3, LA Blues 2
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The Home Depot Center – Carson, Calif.
Scoring Summary:
LA – Adam Cristman (Chad Barrett) 26’
LA – Chad Barrett 48’
LA – Hector Jimenez 67’
LAB – Carlos Borja (Matt Fondy) 70’
LAB – Carlos Borja 86’
Misconduct Summary:
LAB – Mathew Hall (Yellow Card) 34’
Lineup:
LA Galaxy: Bill Gaudette; Bryan Jordan (Dan Keat 63’), Andrew Boyens, Tommy Meyer (Leonardo 35’ (Tommy Meyer 46’)), Bryan Gaul; Kyle Nakazawa (Hector Jimenez 63’), Kenney Walker (Rafael Garcia 56’), Marcelo Sarvas (Michael Stephens 46’), Pat Noonan (Raul Mendiola^ 76’); Chad Barrett (Jack McBean 67’), Adam Cristman (Jose Villarreal 46’)
Subs Not Used: Jordan King.
^ - Galaxy Academy Player
