CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides his Three Things We Learned from the LA Galaxy’s 2-1 defeat to FC Dallas in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal.
FC DALLAS COMEBACK DENIES LA GALAXY OPEN CUP FINAL PLACE
The LA Galaxy were minutes away from reaching their first U.S. Open Cup final since 2006, but a last-minute meltdown in extra time cost the Galaxy their place in the championship.
Up 1-0 deep in extra time, the Galaxy tried to close out the match but saw their lead evaporate thanks to a pair of set-piece goals by the visitors. Matt Hedges pulled Dallas level in the 116th minute, and then Victor Ulloa delivered the knockout blow in stoppage time to send FC Dallas through to their first Open Cup final since the 2007 edition of the tournament. Dallas will host the New England Revolution, who defeated them at home in their last trip to the final.
The Galaxy do not play Dallas again until October, but after falling to the Texans in heartbreaking fashion, you can bet that the Open Cup defeat will be top of mind for Los Angeles when the two teams meet again on Oct. 1 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco.
SET PIECES CAUSE GALAXY DEFEAT
The LA Galaxy defended well for 115 minutes, but two crucial set piece breakdowns cost them their place in the U.S. Open Cup final.
Both of FC Dallas’ late goals, came as the result of a defensive miscue. The Galaxy’s zonal marking system failed them twice, as first, Hedges broke through the defense in the 116th to score, before Ulloa beat a defender himself to nod a header past Ashley Cole at the near post for the winner.
As the Galaxy turn the page from their defeat, Bruce Arena, and his coaching staff will undoubtedly look to refine the team’s set piece marking to avoid any more a repeat of the mistakes from Wednesday.
ANY SILVER LININGS?
Wednesday’s disappointing Open Cup semifinal defeat offered few positives for Bruce Arena’s men.
Two bright spots on the evening were Ema Boateng and Raul Mendiola, who were both given the start as Bruce Arena looked to shuffle his lineup with three games in one week. Throughout their respective shifts, the wingers stretched the Dallas defense as Boateng’s speed and Mendiola’s craftiness repeatedly caused the visitors problems, especially in the first half.
The Galaxy also welcomed back Gyasi Zardes from a two-game injury absence, with the forward going 46 minutes in the defeat. Zardes’ inclusion is maybe the lone silver lining as the striker will potentially return to the starting XI on Saturday when the Galaxy host the Colorado Rapids.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
