The LA Galaxy attack lacked the punch it had recently found tonight losing 1-2 to the Philadelphia Union tonight at The Home Depot. While there may have been fireworks afterward to delight the sellout crowd, for much of the match they were simply frustrated by a club that has suddenly lost its verve. The Philadelphia winner came in the fifth minute of stoppage time, but LA left themselves open for that goal by not finishing plenty of great chances.
The game winner game in the fifth minute of stoppage time with some amazing dribbling by Lionard Pajoy. Pajoy came on in the 75 for Keon Daniel and immediately made an impact with his dribbling. He dribbled toward the sideline, appearing to time waste then back heeled to a streaking Michael Farfan who smashed the ball past Josh Saunders.
"It's frustrating, no doubt about it" said Landon Donovan. "It's hard to be too upset becaus almost everyone played really well, but I've been in this game a long time and I've seen a lot of games like this where one team dominates and you don't score and next thing you know, you're on the bad end of a result and that's what happened today."
The Galaxy were able to equalize in the 73', and for much of that stretch till the end looked to be pushing for the winner. On the equalizer, Juninho took a corner kick that wasn't properly cleared and restarted by Landon Donovan at the left corner of the penalty area. Donovan found Todd Dunivant on the touchline, who sent a rolling cross that Robbie Keane tipped along and Chad Barrett finally smashed in.
Barrett had a good shot at a go ahead goal with his head ten minutes later, and Landon Donovan had a shot from the corner of the penalty area blocked by Gabriel Fabian. Most of the best attempts came in the first half, when Robbie Keane walked in two balls through the penalty area and through defenders that unfortunately came to nothing. His first attempt was cleared off the line and his second was blocked, with both shots coming from inside the goal area. He had another attempt in the 25' that took a fair save to stop.
The opening goal came on a brilliant back heel from Jack McInerney. The attempt rolled slowly toward the Galaxy goal and even a penguin slide from Josh Saunders couldn't get him there in time.
Next for the Galaxy is a Sunday matchup against the Chicago Fire, away. Nationally broadcast on ESPN, they will be announcing the MLS First XI for the All Star Game during halftime.