CARSON, Calif. –Emmanuel Boateng was feeling “pissed off” after the midfielder was whistled for a controversial penalty call that led to Real Salt Lake’s equalizer in the LA Galaxy’s opening match of the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs.
But he made up for that mistake in spades.
After the penalty, Boateng torched RSL scoring twice in eight minutes to put to seal the win for the Galaxy. The 22-year-old Ghanaian winger was a handful all night, repeatedly torching RSL’s full backs with his electric pace.
Following his breakout playoff performance, all the understated Boateng could do was smile.
“I took what the defense gave me and just played the game normally. I think the penalty kick made me pissed off, so I had to go get it back for my teammates,” Boateng, who now has four career goals against RSL, said. “I have had some good games, but I think this one is really up there. An important win for the team.”
Boateng’s primary victim was Salt Lake defender Demar Phillips who was tasked with trying to mark the Galaxy speedster.
After several dangerous moments, Boateng broke through in the 26th minute when he made a move around Phillips and the rest of the Real Salt Lake defense to give the Galaxy the lead. Less than 10 minutes later, he again found space when he delivered a shot from a tight angle that slid past RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando for the third and final goal of the game.
Following the victory, some of the Galaxy’s biggest names were in awe of Boateng’s performance.
“If Messi scored a goal like that, people would be talking about it for weeks. It was an unbelievable goal,” midfielder Landon Donovan said. “The second goal was just as good in some ways. Guys have been telling me since I’ve been back that he has that in him… he was terrific, and we need him to play like that.”
Galaxy boss Bruce Arena agreed, “Obviously he had a very good game. I think he had two great goals. He really didn’t foul the player on the penalty kick, which was unfortunate. I think it got him a little angry, but I think he made up for it for sure. We’ve been looking for him to break out a little bit and he did today. He had a great game.”
Boateng’s success against Salt Lake is nothing new, but now the Galaxy will look for the former University of California, Santa Barbara man to have another star performance when Los Angeles kick off the Western Conference Semifinals against the Colorado Rapids on Sunday.
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With the focus turning to the Rapids, Boateng understands that he’ll need to build off his jaw-dropping showing against Salt Lake.
“I think guys have trusted me a little bit more and given me the confidence to take the defense on and make the game simple for me. Everyone is trying to help me with my runs and hearing a little bit from everybody,” said Boateng. ““ need to have the mindset that I can go against any defender and if it doesn’t work out that I keep it simple and try to stay in the game.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atwww.LAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
