CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy season didn’t end in MLS Cup glory, but it had plenty of brilliant plays and attractive soccer.
In honor of our review of the club’s midfield play this week, I take a look at the five best assists from the 2016 campaign.
DAVE ROMNEY AND GYASI ZARDES TO ROBBIE KEANE (7/9 vs. Seattle Sounders FC)
Dave Romney and Gyasi Zardes combined for the one of the better assists that you’ll ever see during the Galaxy’s victory over Seattle Sounders FC on July 9.
The play occurred in the 15th minute when a precision one-time pass from Romney freed up Zardes along the left side of the Seattle defense. Zardes quickly sprinted past Seattle defender Zach Scott and delivered a cross to a wide open Robbie Keane.
All alone in the penalty area, Keane deflected Zardes’ cross past Stefan Frei for the game-winning goal.
EMA BOATENG TO MIKE MAGEE (4/23 vs. Real Salt Lake)
Ashley Cole and Ema Boateng were a terror along the left side of the field all season, but their finest combination occurred in an April victory over Real Salt Lake.
During the 26th minute of the Galaxy’s 5-2 victory, Cole delivered a world-class ball forward that deflected off a defender and into the path of the rushing Boateng. The Ghanaian speedster then darted down the flank before launching a cross that curled past Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando to a waiting Mike Magee for the easy finish.
STEVEN GERRARD TO GIOVANI DOS SANTOS (4/15 vs. Houston Dynamo)
Steven Gerrard turned back the clock with his dime to Giovani dos Santos in the Galaxy’s victory over the Houston Dynamo.
Gerrard delivered one of his trademark “Hollywood balls” to Dos Santos in the 31st minute of Los Angeles’ 4-1 romp over Houston. With the Galaxy seeking to add to their lead, Gerrard launched a diagonal pass forward that found Dos Santos behind the Houston defense.
The Mexican striker then took a touch into space and fired his shot past Houston goalkeeper Joe Willis for the goal.
GIOVANI DOS SANTOS TO EMA BOATENG (9/17 vs. Real Salt Lake)
Giovani dos Santos’ finishing ability made him a star in his first full season in Major League Soccer, but the Mexican international wasn’t above dropping a few dimes as well.
Perhaps the best of Dos Santos’ 12 assists came in the Galaxy’s 3-3 thriller with Real Salt Lake back in September. The Galaxy struck first blood when in the Dos Santos took a touch past a defender and then displayed superb vision to find a streaking Ema Boateng with a meticulous pass.
Freed by Dos Santos’ effort, Boateng blazed past Jamison Olave and then beat Nick Rimando for the opening goal.
ROBBIE KEANE AND GIOVANI DOS SANTOS TO ROBBIE ROGERS (5/11 vs. Philadelphia Union)
As picturesque as all of these assists were, the finest effort came on May 11th in the Galaxy’s 2-2 draw with the Philadelphia Union.
The goal occurred in the 15th minute when Robbie Keane delivered a dish to Giovani dos Santos as the Mexican made a run down the right flank. With the ball at his feet, Dos Santos beat a defender and then played a no-look left-footed pass to Robbie Rogers on the overlap.
Sprung free by Dos Santos’ pass, Rogers beat Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake from a tight angle.
