Galaxy Manages Short-Handed Tie
While a replica of the World Cup trophy sat on display at the Home Depot Center Saturday night, a replica of the Galaxy was on exhibit against the MetroStars, a byproduct of the pursuit of the world’s most prestigious sports trophy.
With three starters out of the lineup participating in qualification matches for the 2006 World Cup, a patchwork Galaxy team struggled to salvage a 2-2 draw with the Eastern Conference’s fourth-place team before an announced crowd of 20,331.
The draw dropped the second-place Galaxy (6-2-2) further behind FC Dallas in the Western Conference standings. Dallas, a 2-0 winner over DC United Saturday, leads the Galaxy by four points.
It figured to be a difficult night for the Galaxy, with Landon Donovan spending the day in Salt Lake City scoring two goals in the United States’ 3-0 victory over Costa Rica. Other Galaxy regulars lost to World Cup qualification were defender Tyrone Marshall (Jamaica) and midfielder Guillermo Ramirez (Guatemala). The Galaxy was also down a fourth starter, defender Chris Albright, sidelined with a knee injury.
The absence of Marshall and Albright was particularly noticeable early; the Galaxy defense looked tentative and flat-footed through the first 20 minutes. The Galaxy was fortunate to survive that ragged start by yielding only one goal, a fifth-minute header by Abbe Ibrahim.
The Galaxy emerged from that nervous stretch even on the scoreboard, courtesy of a clumsy challenge by MetroStar goalkeeper Zach Wells on Cobi Jones in the 19th. Jones earned the penalty and Jovan Kirovski equalized by rolling his penalty kick into the right corner of the net.
Jones gave the Galaxy the lead in the 34th minute, darting in for a running half-volleyed chip that sailed over Wells’ head before bouncing into the far corner of the net. The goal was created by the combination of a well-struck long feed by Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant and a moment’s hesitation by MetroStar defender Tim Regan.
The Galaxy spent the second half squandering offensive chances, which eventually cost the team a victory in the 72nd minute. Quick passes by Mike Magee and Mark Lisi shredded the Galaxy’s central defense, freeing MetroStar forward Sergio Galvan Rey for a 12-yard blast past goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.
After the final whistle, Galaxy Coach Steve Sampson walked up the stadium tunnel toward the home-team dressing room shaking his head in exasperation.
“Sometimes, there are certain games where you take your point and you go home,” Sampson said. “With so many players missing tonight, you could see that the rhythm and the understanding [were off], especially between Kevin and our backline. Naturally, those things are going to happen when you have so many guys missing.”
The MetroStars (4-3-4) were playing without midfielder Eddie Gaven and defender Tim Ward, representing the U.S. under-20 national team in the FIFA World Youth Championship.
