CARSON, Calif. -- LA Galaxy gained a shutout in a scoreless draw against the Portland Timbers, but created little going forward in a dull showing.
Following the match, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena addressed the team’s showing.
(On the defensive performance...)
ARENA: "I thought that we defended well for the most part. There are some things that we can certainly do better, but I'm not sure that Portland had a whole lot of chances tonight. That was good. At the other end of the field of the field, I thought [Portland's] center backs played well and, obviously, [Donovan] Ricketts is not easy to beat. This was going to be a game where we had to jump on any kind of opportunity that we got and we were half a step off for most of the night. Portland' posture is pretty obvious when they go on the road; they're trying to get a point. They were certainly pleased getting a point."
(On Robbie Rogers' start...)
ARENA: "He's making progress. He has a long way to go, but that's the only way that he can do it is giving him games. I thought that his first 15-20 minutes were very tentative, but he got better and got into a rhythm. The last part of the first half and the second half, he got a little bit better. He's still going to take some time.”
(On Rafael Garcia…)
ARENA: “I thought that Rafa did well. He had a good game. I thought that he played well.”
(On what he said to the team in terms of their offensive performance after the match…)
ARENA: “In terms of their offensive performance? I didn't highlight that. There’s nothing to elaborate on, I didn't say anything to them. What’s there to elaborate?
