CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano gives his Three Points to the Galaxy’s 2-1 victory over FC Dallas. Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes scored in the victory.
LA GALAXY CHARGE OUT OF THE GATES WITH TWO IN THE FIRST HALF
It turns out home is where the goals are for the LA Galaxy.
The first half appeared to be much of the same malaise that has plagued LA as FC Dallas were able to control the early going, but the Galaxy quickly found their stride. As LA began to pressure Dallas deep in their half, the chances began to come and in the 24th minute, the Galaxy found the back of the net. The goal was a spectacular effort by Robbie Keane, who dribbled past two Dallas defenders before firing a laser past FC Dallas goalkeeper Raul Fernandez to put LA in front.
The Galaxy doubled their lead just a minute before the half when Keane played a ball back for Juninho who fired a beautiful diagonal pass onto the head of Gyasi Zardes who nodded it past Fernandez for the eventual game-winner.
GALAXY HANG ON IN THE SECOND
As thrilling as the LA Galaxy’s play was in the first half of their 2-1 defeat of FC Dallas, in the second half, they were a significantly different team as they just barely held on for the victory.
From the outset of the second half, Dallas pushed numbers forward to pressure the bunkering Galaxy in search of a goal. Dallas found their goal in the 65th minute as a turnover by Kenney Walker was handled by Jair Benitez who threaded the ball forward for Tesho Akindele who cut LA’s lead in half despite being offside according to television replays. The Galaxy responded immediately after the goal as Bruce Arena opted to make two changes to the Galaxy lineup to restore some bite to his side.
By inserting Baggio Husidic and Raul Mendiola in place of Stefan Ishizaki and Samuel, the Galaxy were able to dictate the run of play and prevent Dallas from finding the equalizer.
KENNEY WALKER SHINES IN SECOND EVER MLS APPEARANCE
Making just his second ever MLS start and his first since 2012, midfielder Kenney Walker had a solid showing in the victory over FC Dallas. Injuries and a congested schedule prompted Arena to entrust the third-year midfielder with a starting spot alongside Juninho in LA’s flat four in midfield and Walker did not disappoint.
Never making the remarkable play, Walker’s simple passes out of the back drew attention from the Dallas defenders and opened up considerable space for his midfield counterpart. However in the 65th minute, Dallas capitalized on his one mistake as Jair Benitez took the ball from Walker and threaded a pass to an offside Tesho Akindele for the Dallas goal. Despite his one error, the stat sheet smiled on Walker as, in addition to his tidy passing, he made seven recoveries and made two timely clearances deep in LA’s own end.
With Marcelo Sarvas looking to return to the field in the coming weeks and Baggio Husidic angling to regain his starting role, Walker will face heavy competition to keep his place in the midfield on Sunday. But even if Walker does not stay in LA’s first XI, look for the defensive-minded midfielder to play a role with the Galaxy in the upcoming U.S. Open Cup tournament.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
