CARSON, Calif. –The Three Points from the LA Galaxy’s 4-2 victory over Toronto FC…
COMPRENSHIVE PERFORMANCE AS LA CLINCH PLAYOFFS
By virtue of their win over Toronto FC, the LA Galaxy clinched a spot in the Western Conference Playoffs.
A playoff berth on the line, the Galaxy controlled wide stretches of the match, dominating TFC in both possession and scoring chances. Due to their victory and the Seattle Sounders’ 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes, the Galaxy are currently tied with Real Salt Lake for second place in the Western Conference. However, the Galaxy hold the total goals scored tiebreaker and would be in second if the season ended today.
With more than a month left in the season, the Galaxy can finish no lower than fifth in the West, but are currently jockeying for position among the West’s top three with Seattle, RSL and the San Jose Earthquakes.
JUNINHO AND KEANE BAG A DOUBLE AGAINST TORONTO
No two players are playing better in an LA Galaxy uniform these days than Juninho and Robbie Keane.
The Brazilian and the Irishman each tallied two goals against Toronto, fueling LA to their 4-2 victory. Juninho opened the scoring in the 11th minute, firing a curling free kick that proved too much for Toronto goalkeeper Freddy Hall. 22 minutes later, Juninho doubled the scoring with one of his trademark shots from beyond 35-yards after a feed from Sean Franklin. The Brazilian has now scored six goals in his last six matches. Juninho’s brace gives the Brazilian an MLS career-high seven goals on the season.
Meanwhile, Keane scored two goals of his own in the 36th minute and during second half stoppage time. With his two goals, Keane has 14 goals on the season, placing him in the top five among MLS’ leading goal scorers.
GALAXY’S SHUTOUT STREAK SNAPPED
Despite the comprehensive victory and the playoff berth, it was not a perfect night for the Galaxy as LA’s defense saw their shutout streak snapped by TFC.
Toronto broke through in the 38th minute—just two minutes after Robbie Keane scored LA’s third goal—when Terry Dunfield was able to beat Josh Saunders for the goal. Dunfield’s strike halted LA’s shutout streak which spanned 491 minutes in all competitions and 381 minutes in MLS play.
Despite the goal, LA’s defense held for wide stretches, but Los Angeles native Luis Silva would add a second goal for TFC in the 86th minute.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
