VANCOUVER, B.C. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano gives his Three Points to the LA Galaxy’s disappointing 3-1 defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which starts a three-game, nine day road trip for LA.
RUSSELL TEIBERT GOES FROM INJURY SUBSTITUTION TO WHITECAPS HERO
Winless in their last seven matches, Vancouver Whitecaps FC were dealt a blow when playmaker Daigo Kobayashi was forced off due to injury. However, the move turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Vancouver as it allowed Russell Teibert to enter the match
Known for his speed, the young Canadian right-sided midfielder was energetic from the outset as he repeatedly tested LA rookie left back Greg Cochrane. Teibert turned this advantage into a goal in the 63rd minute when he built space from Cochrane on the right side and fired a brilliant shot past LA ‘keeper Carlo Cudicini. Thirteen minutes later, he added his second of the night as he finished an impressive lay off from Gerson Koffie.
With LA rallying after Gyasi Zardes’ goal late, Teibert had a role in Vancouver’s clincher as he fired in the throw in that helped set up Darren Mattocks’ for Vancouver’s third goal.
VANCOUVER DEFENDER ANDY O’BRIEN SHUTS DOWN LA GALAXY ATTACK
While Teibert enjoyed success against LA on the attacking end, it was Irish defender Andy O’Brien, who silenced the LA Galaxy attack.
Tidy from the start, O’Brien immediately proceeded to use his physical play to negate LA’s forward combination of Landon Donovan and Jose Villarreal. O’Brien created an effective tandem with fellow center back Johnny Leveron as the pair accounted for 26 clearances—11 of which were O’Brien’s—against the Galaxy. With the pair shutting down LA’s forwards, the Galaxy attack was forced out wide, a tactic that saw limited success as the pair were able to turn away most incoming crosses.
As LA pushed ahead late, throwing numbers forward including Gyasi Zardes, O’Brien looked steady as ever, keeping the LA forwards in front of him and killing off any chance of another late LA rally at BC Place.
GYASI ZARDES GETS HIS FIRST PROFESSIONAL GOAL, COULD HE START ON THE ROAD TRIP?
The LA Galaxy forwards have lacked sharpness without the presence of the injured Robbie Keane, but could Gyasi Zardes’ first career MLS goal open up chances for the Homegrown forward?
WATCH: Zardes scores first MLS goal
Upon entering in the 67th minute, Zardes immediately provided a spark as his speed challenged the Vancouver defense as LA searched for an equalizer. Unfortunately, Zardes found the back of the net 10 minutes after the Galaxy saw their deficit doubled to 2-0. Zardes’ goal came when he nodded a Jose Villarreal cross past Vancouver goalkeeper Joe Cannon, getting LA back into the game at 2-1. Zardes needed just four appearances for the Galaxy to find the back of the net for the first time in his professional career and will now look to add to that tally in the coming games.
Keane has targeted Wednesday’s match against the Philadelphia Union as his chance to make his return after missing the last three matches, but with a goal under his belt, Zardes may very well earn the start alongside him. Thus allowing LA head coach Bruce Arena to play Mike Magee and Landon Donovan in the midfield.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
