CARSON, Calif. – Landon Donovan earned the headlines during the LA Galaxy’s 2-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City, but Marcelo Sarvas was arguably the finest player on the field for LA.
Sarvas and Juninho led the Galaxy’s midfield pressure which overwhelmed Sporting’s midfield. As a result, LA created several scoring opportunities on the counter including Sarvas’ goal in the 27th minute. The play created some controversy as many believed that Sarvas’ committed a handball after controlling a turnover by Sporting’s Oriol Rosell.
The goal wasn’t the only stellar aspect of Sarvas’ performance as the Brazilian was nearly flawless in his distribution as he finished the game with 42 completed passes out of 51 attempts along with 10 tackles won and two interceptions.
Although Sarvas called the performance the Galaxy’s best of the season over 90 minutes, he admitted that LA had shown shades of this type of showing earlier in the season.
“Today we won the game, that’s why it seems better, but we are doing this every game. “The spirit is on how team goes to the field. We always go to press and win games. All of our lines were in good position and everything they had the ball, we were close to steal the ball and make turnovers then go on the counter attack.”
And as for that hand ball shout on his goal, was it one?
“I don’t think so,” said Sarvas. “I had no intention to hit the ball, I stole the ball and the ball came up. It’s about interpretation of the referee and I thought he did well.”
But would he have been angered if it was called?
“Of course.”
