LA Galaxy vs Real Salt Lake
Saturday, August 17, 2013
StubHub Center
Kick-off: 7:30 p.m
lagalaxy.com
After a controversial result against Dallas, the LA Galaxy returns to the StubHub Center for the first time in nearly a month to host Real Salt Lake. Despite a Landon Donovan hat-trick, the Galaxy backline was unable to bring three points back home, with much of the blame falling on one of the assistant referees, who missed two offside calls which resulted in goals for Dallas. After not being able to obtain a victory, the Galaxy fell to fifth place in the Western Conference. A win is a must if they want to stay close to RSL, who at first place is slowly getting away from the rest of the teams in the West.
What happened this past Sunday was much of what we have seen all throughout the season. The Galaxy continues to struggle defending set pieces, and that has been costing the team. Once again, goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini was the center of criticism after he was unable to deal with a ball inside the six-yard box, a play that ended up putting Dallas up 1-0. It seemed like the game was another opportunity for Cudicini to prove himself to the coaching staff, but once again he failed to impress. One would think it’s just a matter of time before Jaime Penedo receives his opportunity to play for LA. After the game Landon Donovan called out the entire backline, pretty much stating the recent performances weren’t good enough.
At the moment RSL is leading the race for the Supporters’ Shield. On a three-game unbeaten run in all competitions, RSL is trying to grown the gap between them and the rest of the Western Conference. The Galaxy and RSL have met twice this season, both at Rio Tinto. The Galaxy took the first game while RSL took the second, setting up the third and final game to be a decisive one. With players like Alvaro Saborio, Javier Morales, and Nick Rimando, RSL will be no easy task for LA, but will be a huge result should the Galaxy come out on top.
THIS IS LA!
LA Galaxy:
34 points, 35 GF, 30 GA
10-9-4, 5th in Western Conference
Home Record: 7-1-2
Away Record: 3-8-2
Previous Games:
(8/11) FC Dallas 3-3 LA Galaxy
(7/27) Colorado Rapids 2-0 LA Galaxy
(7/20) LA Galaxy 2-1 Vancouver Whitecaps
(7/13) Portland Timbers 2-1 LA Galaxy
(7/7) LA Galaxy 2-0 FC Dallas
Real Salt Lake:
41 points, 39 GF, 26 GA
12-7-5, 1st in Western Conference
Home Record: 7-2-3
Away Record: 5-5-2
Previous Games:
(8/10) Real Salt Lake 1-0 Houston Dynamo
(8/3) Colorado Rapids 2-2 Real Salt Lake
(7/27) NY Red Bulls 4-3 Real Salt Lake
(7/20) Real Salt Lake 1-2 Sporting KC
(7/13) FC Dallas 0-3 Real Salt Lake
* Remember, Galaxy U-18 Academy takes on LA Galaxy alumni at 5:00 p.m
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