CARSON, Calif. - Despite looking like a team
still in the early stages of preseason - and facing a team that
placed third in the FIFA Club World Championship barely two months
ago - the Los Angeles Galaxy still managed to scrape out a scoreless
draw with Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica in the first leg of their
CONCACAF Champions' Cup quarterfinal on Thursday night at The Home
Depot Center.
The Galaxy began their trek toward a second Champions' Cup title
facing a side that, in addition to their December exploits in Japan,
came into the regional club championship as defending champion.
Saprissa won the Apertura (first-half title) in the Costa Rican
Primera Division earlier this year - meaning the home side was
facing a very confident team already in midseason form.
Then, before the first kick even happened, Todd Dunivant was
scratched from the starting team with a hip injury sustained two
days ago that had gone previously unreported. Dunivant has been
surrounded by trade rumors over the past week. In addition to the
absence of their starting left back, Ned Grabavoy, who was slated to
start on the left side of midfield, was a late scratch with flu-like
symptoms.
In their stead, rookie Nate Sturgis and Memo Gonzalez started at
left back and left midfield respectively. The pair looked shaky
throughout the opening 45 minutes showing their inexperience and
lack of familiarity with one another.
The Costa Ricans took advantage of the inexperience on the
Galaxy's left side early and often, and nearly made the Galaxy pay
in the 12th minute. Tray Bennett slid in behind Sturgis and cut
towards the center, where from the top edge of the penalty area he
sent a curling cross to the back post where Pablo Brenes was
waiting. His header was on frame, but Galaxy 'keeper Kevin Hartman
stood tall to punch the ball clear for his first save on the night.
The Galaxy tried to answer minutes later from a free kick 20
yards out from goal. Landon Donovan and Herculez Gomez stood over
the ball, and Donovan eventually deferred to Gomez, whose low shot
was deflected off of a Saprissa defender for a corner kick.
Saprissa was soon back on the attack, again exploiting the left
side. It was Bennett again, this time collecting a loose ball inside
the penalty area and unleashing a drive towards the near post. But
the shot lacked accuracy, flying past the wrong side of the post and
into the side netting.
As the half wore on, things started to get very physical. On
numerous occasions players were left on the turf following tough
tackles. Jody Stewart of Saprissa and Ugo Ihemelu of the Galaxy were
show yellow cards about 40 seconds apart.
Hartman came up big a couple times on Saprissa set pieces, most
notably in the 32nd minute when Alonso Solis sent a cross into the
area. Hartman plucked the ball out of the air though, making the
save look rather routine.
While the Central American side had the majority of possession,
the Galaxy ended the half with a fine chance. Troy Roberts picked
out Gomez with a long pass out of midfield and last year's Galaxy
MVP hit a pinpoint cross to strike-mate Donovan. From about 12 yards
out Donovan ran onto the cross and hit a strong header, but steered
his effort wide of the post.
Galaxy coach Steve Sampson made one change at halftime, opting
for Josh Gardner in place of Gonzalez on the left side. The Galaxy
came out of the locker room with a lot more intensity to open the
second half, and Donovan made a pair of his patented long runs
through midfield in the early goings to test the Saprissa defense.
The U.S. international came within a hair of scoring in the 57th
minute. Again making a long run, Donovan flicked the ball over
defender Gabriel Badilla, ran past him and went in alone on goal.
Donovan's first touch got away from him a bit, allowing Saprissa
'keeper Jose Francisco Porras to make an initial save. However, the
ball deflected back off Donovan and was heading into the net until
Saprissa defender Jervis Drummond cleared the ball off the line at
the last possible instant.
The Galaxy continued to press for a positive home result and in
the 66th minute Gomez nearly took advantage of some confusion in the
Saprissa penalty area. A Cobi Jones cross bounced around the area
and was up for grabs for the first taker. Gomez won the ball, but
from point-blank range fired over the crossbar.
In the 71st minute Donovan fed Gomez, who managed to beat Porras
to the ball, but from a sharp angle and with little room to work
with he banged his shot off the 'keeper.
Alan Gordon came on midway thought the second half, and received
a great service from fellow sub Josh Gardner in the 76th minute. The
6-foot-3 striker rose up and sent a powerful header goalbound, but
Porras again held the lid tightly shut on the Saprissa goal.
Against the run of play, Cristian Bolanos was sprung loose on
what appeared to be a breakaway. However Tyrone Marshall chased him
down, and just as Bolanos shot, the Jamaican international slid in
the thwart the effort.
Despite the dominance the home side displayed in the second half,
the game-winning goal just wasn't in the cards. Now the Galaxy are
faced with the daunting task of having to travel to Costa Rica in
search of a win if they are to advance to the semifinals.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story
was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its
clubs.
23.02.2006: Carson, California USA; Home Depot Center
(A: 8103)
LOS ANGELES GALAXY (USA) – DEPORTIVO SAPRISSA (CRC)
0:0Los Angeles Galaxy: Kevin Hartman – Troy Roberts, Ugo Ihemelu,
Tyrone Marshall, Nathan Sturgis, Cobi Jones, Marcelo Saragoza (75: Alan
Gordon), Peter Vagenas, Herculez Gómez, Guillermo González (46: Josh
Gardner), Landon Donovan. Booked: Ihemelu 25’
TD: Steve
SAMPSON
Deportivo Saprissa: José Francisco Porras – Tray Bennett, José
Pablo Fonseca, Gabriel Badilla, Jervis Drummond, Jody Stewart, José Luis
López, Pablo Brenes (81: Walter Centeno), Alonso Solís (74: Saul Phillip),
Allan Alemán Avila (72: Cristian Bolaños), Gerrold Drummond. Booked:
Stewart 24’, Fonseca 64’, Centeno 90’+
TD: Hernán MEDFORD
R: Marco
RODRIGUEZ (MEX)
