HOUSTON – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides his “Three Things We Learned” from the Galaxy’s 4-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Friday.
IS THIS THE START OF GOOD FORM ON THE ROAD?
Are the LA Galaxy finally turning it around away from home?
After a strong showing in Houston, Bruce Arena and company have to be optimistic.
Aside from allowing a goal in the opening seconds of the match, the Galaxy were dominant on both sides of the ball in the Space City, shutting down the Dynamo attack and finishing opportunities with efficiency. The Galaxy notched three goals in the opening 45 and then added another in the second half.
The four goals were the Galaxy’s highest output on the road since their epic 2014 win over the Colorado Rapids. After a scoreless draw in Vancouver, the Galaxy have a very healthy four points from three road games to date. Los Angeles will travel on the road next on May 1 when they take on Sporting Kansas City.
GIOVANI DOS SANTOS OPENS HIS 2016 ACCOUNT IN STYLE
Bruce Arena said midweek that the best was yet to come from Giovani dos Santos, and on Friday, we saw it.
Dos Santos scored two goals and helped set up another during the Galaxy’s win over the Dynamo. Starting just behind Gyasi Zardes in attack, Dos Santos was clinical as he frequently made dangerous runs and found ample space behind the Houston defense. In both of his goals, Dos Santos showed a clinical finishing touch that had been lacking in his previous appearances this year.
The only question that remains is whether Dos Santos can consistently maintain his form as the season goes on. If Dos Santos can perform at the same level that he did against Houston in the weeks ahead, the Galaxy attack will be incredibly dangerous.
STEVEN GERRARD SHINES IN SPACE CITY VICTORY
Steven Gerrard provided one of his finest performances in an LA Galaxy jersey during the team’s big win in Houston on Friday night.
In his first match back from a left quad injury, Gerrard was extremely effective in organizing the Galaxy midfield, which overwhelmed the Dynamo. Gerrard put on a vintage display, spraying dangerous balls across the pitch, including a trademark “Hollywood pass” for Dos Santos’ second goal of the evening
Gerrard nearly got his first goal of the season in the 73rd minute when he launched a shot from outside the box that flew just a hair above the Dynamo net. Like Dos Santos, there are plenty of expectations heaped on Gerrard’s shoulders to deliver in 2016, and performances like Friday’s go a long way to help the talismanic midfielder live up to expectations.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atwww.LAGalacy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
