L.A. Galaxy suffer first loss of the preseason
The chilly night in Bermuda began with both teams battleling to control the midfield, and it was the Galaxy who was able to break away first courtesy of a long ball from Landon Donovan to an anticipating Alan Gordon. However, Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis was quick off his line and was able to block Gordon's attempted shot at goal.
The Revolution, came back with an attempt of their own soon after. New England captain and Bermudan local, Khano Smith, broke free into the attack third and palyed a ball forward into the path of Andy Dorman, only for defender Tyrone Marshall to use his speed to break up the attack just inside of the Galaxy box.
The Revs continued their pressure on the right flank and were rewarded in the 22nd minute when an inswinging corner kick from Dorman found James Riley at the near post, allowing the third year defender to head home, past Joe Cannon, giving New England a 1-0 advantage.
Five minutes later the lead was doubled as New England found the back of the net once again. A dangerous run from Arsene Oka down the right culminatedwith a long shot from the second year player that just beat a stretching Cannon into the right top corner.
Facing a 2-0 deficit the Galaxy pressed forward, creating a number of opportunities in the later stages of the first half. In the 32nd minute Albright pushed the ball forward on the left side, and crossed to a speeding Gordon, whose header flashed just wide of the goal.
The Galaxy continued to attack after the intermission and were rewarded in the 55th minute with their first goal of the night. After a series of near misses, the Galaxy were able to put one past Matt Reis as a Landon Donovan freekick from 26 yards out was met by Albright who powered a header into the New England goal, cutting the lead in half at 2-1.
The game was sealed in the 81st minute when a Jeff Larentowicz cross was inadvertently deflected into the Galaxy goal by Kyle Veris in an attempt to clear, giving the Revs a 3-1 advantage and the win.
The Galaxy will play their final game of this preseason trip against the Bermuda National Team at 7:30 p.m. in the National Sports Complex.
Scoring Summary:
L.A. - Albright 59'
NE - Riley 22', Oka 27', Own Goal (Veris) 81'
Los Angeles Galaxy: Joe Cannon, Chris Albright, Kyle Veris, Tyrone Marshall, Ante Jazic, Josh Tudela, Pete Vagenas, Cobi Jones (Josh Gardner 66'), Landon Donovan, Nate Jaqua (Robert Findley 73'), Alan Gordon (Gavin Glinton 66')
New England Revolution: Matt Reis (Doug Warren 66'), Avery John, James Riley, Michael Oakhurst (Gary Flood 66'), Khano Smith (Takashi Hirano 46') , Jay Heaps (Steve Ralston 46'), Franscico Franchino (Takuya Yamata 46'), Andy Dorman (Jeff Larentowicz 46'), Arsene Oka (Wells Thompson 46'), Taylor Twellman (Chris Loftus 66'), Jorge Ramirez (Willie Sims 46')
Discipline Summary
L.A. - Nate Jaqua (caution) 20', Kyle Veris (caution) 49'
N.E. - Avery John (caution) 64'
Quotes from Galaxy Head Coach Frank Yallop:
On the team's performance:
"A coach never wants to lose any games, but if you take the score out of it I think we performed pretty well. It is still early in the preseason, and I think the guys came back with a really strong character in the second half. I don't think the score reflects the performance."
On the rookies' performance:
"I think they [Tudela and Findley] were good tonight. These games are good exercise. It is still early, so we are not too concerned about results."
