April 13, 2008 MLS Los Angeles Galaxy vs Toronto FC (from MLSnet.com)
04/13/2008 7:13PM
Galaxy miss opportunities vs. TFC
Los Angeles leaves several scoring chances unfinished
By Greg Daurio / MLSnet.com Staff
CARSON, Calif. -- The Los Angeles might well end up looking at Sunday's 3-2 defeat by Toronto FC as six points lost, rather than just three. The Galaxy let a number of chances in the early going go begging, allowing Toronto to hang around, and although they twice came back from one-goal deficits, some sloppy defending at key moments -- including two minutes from the end when Jeff Cunningham scored the game-winner -- led to TFC leaving The Home Depot Center with all three points.
The Galaxy very easily could have been ahead 3-0 going into the halftime break, but instead, the game was tied at 1-1 and Toronto never trailed. Landon Donovan, who scored both of LA's goals, also missed three one-on-one chances with TFC goalkeeper Greg Sutton in the first half.
"I'm obviously disappointed. I'm disappointed in myself, having three chances like that can change the game," said Donovan. "We did well to get back in it twice. Then I think we were a little naïve in the end. We probably should have just settled and gotten out of here with a point."
Donovan scored from outside the area just seconds after Danny Dichio put TFC into the lead late in the first half. Then after Jarrod Smith headed home a rebound, Donovan converted from the penalty spot to level matters in the 58th minute.
But in the 88th minute a late breakdown allowed Cunningham, a second-half substitute to run onto a long ball from behind the midway stripe, fend off Greg Vanney and then beat Steve Cronin with a low shot from the edge of the area. With the Galaxy throwing so much at the Toronto goal, coupled with the heat, which reached 102 degrees on the field, the team just wilted down the stretch.
"It seems like they came back into the game late. They didn't put much into the game in the first half," said Donovan. "It seems like they finally found their energy in the end, and it was vice versa for us. Those two, combined with us having to push forward to try and score, was all a combination with what happened at the end."
Still, the Galaxy weren't about to use the heat as an excuse for the final result. The Galaxy simply allowed their opposition to linger, and it cost them.
"It was the same for both teams. It was extremely hot out there," said David Beckham. "When you don't keep the ball well and you don't pass the ball well it brings all sorts of problems. We lost our shape in the second half, partially through some of it the heat, but the majority of it from giving the ball away."
For the majority of the match, the Galaxy completely controlled possession. But as the old saying goes, it's not how much possession you have, but what you do with it.
"I'm disappointed because we played so well. Sometimes football is unfair. They had three chances and they scored three," said Galaxy head coach Ruud Gullit after the game. "It's a law in football if you don't convert the possibilities you have then the opposition feels like they can sniff something. That's the consequence of not being able to bury this game early."
In addition to poor finishing early on, there were three separate breakdowns that led to the three Toronto goals. In the first goal, a missed clearance left Dichio on the doorstep in position for an easy goal. The Galaxy were second to a rebound off a free kick put straight on goal, allowing the second goal.
Then a breakdown in the team's formation allowed Cunningham to get into a one-on-one situation with a defender, racing onto a long ball from Amado Guevara, which led to the third goal. Three mistakes led to three goals and a whole lot to answer for after the game.
The visit of TFC provided a good chance for the Galaxy to get off to a quick start to the season. Instead, wasteful with their possession and chances, they lost for the second time in three games. They created plenty of opportunities, and it's unlikely the attacking weapons the Galaxy have will repeat Sunday's performance. But instead, it's defensive lapses that need to be addressed if they club is to avoid digging an early season hole for a third consecutive season.
"If you see how the game developed, you don't talk about defense, because we were playing well. They had one chance, we made a mistake, and immediately it was a goal," said Gullit. "It's frustrating. It was unnecessary. All three goals were unnecessary goals. That makes it hard to accept, especially because you were so much better."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
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