CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano’s Three Points to the LA Galaxy’s comprehensive 2-0 victory over FC Dallas.
LA GALAXY ATTACK DOMINATES IN VICTORY
After a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas, we might finally be able to say that the LA Galaxy attack is clicking as the club rattled off their second consecutive victory and their third in four games.
In a comprehensive performance, LA repeatedly placed FC Dallas on their back heel forcing four saves from standout goalkeeper Raul Fernandez. Although Dallas kept the clean sheet for 64 minutes, LA broke through with a fantastic team goal in the 65th minute as a long ball pass from Omar Gonzalez found Robbie Keane, who streaked down the left flank and fired a pass to Marcelo Sarvas, who was unmarked in the box. The goal sealed a stellar night for Sarvas, who completed 85 percent of his passes (46 for 54)—two of them setting up scoring chances—while serving as a force in defense with eight recoveries, five tackles won, and a blocked shot.
But top billing once again goes to Robbie Keane, who was a threat each time he touched the ball. Playing the role of facilitator, Keane proved too much for the FC Dallas defense as he was repeatedly dangerous in the final third and set up both of the Galaxy’s goals on the evening.
LED BY DELAGARZA, GALAXY DEFENSE SHUTS DOWN DALLAS
The speed and size of FC Dallas posed a major threat for the LA Galaxy, but thanks to stellar play of Galaxy backline—especially A.J. DeLaGarza—LA earned their ninth shutout in all competitions this year.
From the start, Dallas attempted to use their speed on the flanks to pressure the Galaxy defense, but while their effort showed brief flashes of success, timely clearances by DeLaGarza and the rest of the LA defenders prevented the visitors from taking ahold of the game. After handling FCD’s speed early on, LA was given a different challenge for the final 15 minutes when Dallas boss Schellas Hyndman brought on towering forward Kenny Cooper. This changed resulted in a long-ball style of play that posed some threat to LA as Cooper set up fellow second half substitute Jackson for a shot from distance that forced a timely save by Carlo Cudicini in the 76th minute.
However, unlike in games past, the Galaxy were able to kill off the game, doubling their lead four minutes later through a Hector Jimenez’s goal. In stark contrast to the match against San Jose last weekend, LA repeatedly took the ball to the corner flag in an effort to run minutes off the clock and preserve their shutout.
NUMBERS TELL THE STORY
Statistics can be skewed to tell a story, but the numbers from Sunday night’s victory describe an LA Galaxy team that is on the rise in the Western Conference.
First off, the number eight: the number of assists this season by Robbie Keane, which is a league-high. For a player that is known for his goal scoring, Keane has played the role of playmaker to a tee this season, routinely sparking the Galaxy attack and Sunday’s performance was no different. Keane has now scored or assisted on 15 of LA’s 29 goals this season.
The next key number? One, which is the assist total for Galaxy winger Robbie Rogers. The midfielder bagged his first assist in an LA uniform on Sunday as he helped set up Hector Jimenez’s goal in the 80th minute. Rogers enjoyed, perhaps, his most complete performance as he was a menace down the flanks and fired off six shots against Dallas. Eager to build up his confidence, the assist may just spark Rogers as the club heads into the summer grind.
But the biggest number of all? Four. That’s how many points the LA Galaxy are back of Real Salt Lake for the MLS Supporters’ Shield lead. For the Galaxy to be in that position after all their frustrating results this season is a major accomplishment this year.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
