CARSON, Calif.-- It was deja vu all over again for the LA Galaxy as they surrendered another late goal to DC United in a 2-2 draw at Stub Hub Center Wednesday night on the Fourth of July.
The ending seemed all too familiar for Los Angeles as they gave a similar late equalizing goal just four days ago up in San Jose.
In the California Clásico, the Galaxy had a 3-1 lead early in the first half and ended with a 3-3 draw. On Independence Day, Los Angeles had an early 2-0 lead and conceded an 85th-minute goal to DC United striker Darren Mattocks.
“We had a two to nothing lead and we give a goal to the opponent that allows them to resuscitate themselves and breathe life into their game, and that’s something that we can’t do,” Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid said. “We need to be better. We as a coaching staff need to work harder, because obviously what we’re doing hasn’t been enough at this stage.”
While the Galaxy did have a decent defensive showing, the one constant headache for the back four late in the match was DC United central midfielder, Yamil Asad. Asad finished the game with three created chances, 91 percent passing accuracy and completed a total of 78 passes. In addition, the DC United playmaker also won five fouls and had a game-high 102 touches, 19 more than any other player.
“I mean just getting enough guys around him (Asad). Us as a backline communicating to the guys in front of us to put pressure on guys playing balls into him,” Galaxy outside back Dave Romney said. “Us being tight on him, but with fatigued legs. It’s tough.”
Los Angeles is leveled with the Houston Dynamo with 22 points tied for seventh place and failed to surpass the playoff line as it dropped points in two consecutive matches. However, if there is one silver lining for the home side is that the Dos Santos brothers, Giovani and Jonathan will be joining the team sooner rather than later after their World Cup duty with Mexico.
“We got some guys back now, getting guys healthy, so the options are going to be there for us again. It’s just a matter of us going out and executing,” Galaxy forward Chris Pontius said. “It didn’t matter who we had on the field tonight, we should have gone and killed that game off.”
