LA Galaxy defeat USL Pro’s L.A. Blues 3-0 in preseason game

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CARSON, Calif. —The LA Galaxy took advantage of a pair of defensive miscues in the first half to beat the Los Angeles Blues 3-0 on Tuesday morning at The Home Depot Center. Robbie Keane and Jose Villarreal each scored for the second straight game and the Galaxy benefitted from an own goal as well to claim their second straight victory of the preseason. LA once again kept a clean sheet in the game with Carlo Cudicini and Brian Perk each playing 45 minutes in the win. They have now played 180 minutes in the preseason without conceding a goal.


The Galaxy scored a pair of first half goals, each of which was the result of a defensive error by the Blues inside their own penalty area. LA were in front after just four minutes when a Rafael Garcia cross that was intended for Gyasi Zardes, struck the foot of a defender and was re-directed into the Blues’ net for an own goal.


READ: Match Notes from LA Galaxy Insider

It was 2-0 just over 10 minutes later when a mishit clearance provided Robbie Keane with an opportunity that he calmly converted. Keane collected the loose ball inside the area and rounded the goalkeeper before dribbling past a pair of defenders and finishing with his left foot for his second goal in as many games.


Bruce Arena made 10 changes at halftime for the second straight game with only A.J. DeLaGarza remaining on the field for more than 45 minutes. He was eventually replaced on the hour mark by rookie defender Kofi Opare who played the final 30 minutes in his first appearance of the preseason.


READ: Confident DeLaGarza admits "a lot of improvement from last year" in early stages of preseason

Jose Villarreal put the finishing touches on the victory in the 76th minute when he scored his second goal of the preseason. Villarreal teamed up with rookie Andy Riemer on a perfectly executed give-and-go to give the Galaxy a 3-0 victory. The goal came despite the Galaxy playing the final 20 minutes with just 10 men after Leonardo came off with a cramp.


LA Galaxy 3, Los Angeles Blues 0
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The Home Depot Center – Carson, Calif.


Scoring Summary:
LA – Own Goal 4’
LA – Robbie Keane 2 15’
LA – Jose Villarreal 2 76’


Misconduct Summary:
LA – Colin Clark (Yellow Card) 41’
LA – Jose Villarreal (Yellow Card) 82’


Lineup:
LA Galaxy: Carlo Cudicini (Brian Perk 46’); Sean Franklin (Oscar Sorto 46’), AJ. DeLaGarza (Kofi Opare 60’), Tommy Meyer (Leonardo 46’), Todd Dunivant (Bryan Gaul 46’); Mike Magee (Paul Arriola 46’), Rafael Garcia (Hector Jimenez 46’), Marcelo Sarvas (Andy Riemer 46’), Colin Clark (Greg Cochrane 46’); Gyasi Zardes (Jose Villarreal 46’), Robbie Keane (Jack McBean 46’).