SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake forward Alvaro Saborio drew the ire of the LA Galaxy for his second half challenge on LA defender A.J. DeLaGarza following the two teams 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon.
The challenge occurred in the 62nd minute when DeLaGarza’s right leg was clipped from behind by the Costa Rican in a play that earned Saborio a yellow card caution from Ismail Elfath. Although the Galaxy defender tried to continue—even making several timely tackles – he was ultimately substituted nine minutes later with what LA head coach Bruce Arena later described as a “ankle contusion.”
DeLaGarza will be further evaluated once the team returns to LA, but his prognosis did not stop his Galaxy teammates from taking Saborio to task.
“That was pretty dirty on his part. He was definitely trying to hurt A.J. and I think that he succeeded,” said Gonzalez. “Fortunately for us, we have players that can come off the bench and we finished the game strong.”
Landon Donovan took it to another level, stating that he would be surprised if Saborio is not met with a suspension by the MLS Disciplinary Committee.
“I’m trying to figure out how that is not a red card. You see his leg and you see the intent and how nasty that was. I’d be very surprised if there is no further action taken,” said Donovan. "It’s okay to be tough and physical, but you don’t want to be nasty and that was a pretty nasty one.”
Regardless of whether or not Saborio is suspended, DeLaGarza is simply looking to return as soon as possible with the Galaxy not playing another match until an April 6 road match against Chivas USA.
“I hope that it’s not that bad, but right now it looks bad,” DeLaGarza told LA Galaxy Insider after the match. “Right after it happened; it was already swollen like a second calf. I told the ref and he only got a yellow.”
