If you were a causal fan with no stake in the fight, Saturday’s game at Stanford Stadium was probably a really fun experience for you. If you were a Galaxy fan, your joy turned into ashes in your mouth in 10 minutes. That’s not intended to be hyperbole. What seemed a dominant performance from LA turned into a defensive meltdown that didn’t feel believable, even after the final whistle.
LA, coming off a win over Chivas in the Superclasico, came into San Jose looking to dictate and for the first 60 or so minutes and did exactly that. An early goal by Marcelo Sarvas in the 20th minute after a brief spell of back and forth possession had LA in the driver seat and a second by Hector Jimenez in the 65th minute quieted an already muted Stanford Stadium. Despite giving up a goal 3 minutes later to former Galaxy player and current Galaxy thorn in the side Alan Gordon, a Victor Bernardez red card in the 77th minute for a second yellow card in less than 10 mins gave everyone memories of a certain playoff game in November of 2012.
If you think this game had a happy ending, you have been paying attention to the Galaxy’s season.
Despite having multiple chances after going up a man, the Galaxy could not land a killing blow against the Earthquakes and in stoppage time, the Earthquakes stole what seemed to be a sure 3 points in a matter of 2 minutes with the winning goal scored by Gordon in what has become a very common occurrence for this year’s team. The inability or the unwillingness to finish off games cost the Galaxy yet another opportunity for points and a chance at only the second winning streak all year for LA.
The Galaxy return home to Carson on the 4th of July to play Columbus then FC Dallas at home on Sunday night.
Quick Kicks
Played Under a Bad Sign: The Galaxy have not won at Stanford Stadium since the Earthquakes started using the stadium for Galaxy games in 2012. Both games have seen the Galaxy take an early lead to lose in heartbreaking fashion. Oh and the date of last year’s game? June 30th 2012 , almost a year to the day.
Alan Gordon is that guy: Alan Gordon has scored 4 times in the last 5 games, including 2 game winners. He simply is that guy and I don’t like him anymore.
We’re so bad, right?: I had this thought on the ride back from San Jose last night. Are we worst on defense this year as we were last year? At the same point last year, the Galaxy gave up 33 goals over 20 games in all competitions ? This year, only 27 goals in 22 games. So maybe not as bad as we think. Maybe.
(image courtesy of sjearthquakes.com)
