Tough Fire backline stalls Galaxy
Lewis scores first goal since MLS return, but Galaxy fall in Chicago
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The Chicago Fire scored twice in the second half on unusual plays and came away with a 3-1 against over the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy at Toyota Park on MLS Primetime Thursday.
The Galaxy's long stretch of difficulties, which they hoped was over with their win against D.C. United Saturday, instead was extended. The Galaxy, still tied for sixth place in the Western Conference with 29 points, are 1-7-6 in their last 14 games.
Recovering from the Fire's first goal in the first half, the Galaxy tied the game in the 35th minute on a goal by Eddie Lewis. But the Galaxy defense got caught twice playing too high, and the high-powered offense could not get the two goals back against the Fire's defense, which was coming off its worst game of the year on Sunday, a 4-1 loss to FC Dallas.
The second-half goals by Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Chris Rolfe marked the seventh time this season the Galaxy have given up at least three goals.
The second goal featured Blanco at his controversial best. Chasing a 50-50 ball outside the box in the 57th minute, Blanco collided with defender Troy Roberts while goalkeeper Josh Wicks ran up to make a play at the same time. The ball was popped forward out of the mix by Blanco, who hopped over Roberts and had an easy shot into an empty goal.
Two minutes later, Blanco earned an assist on Rolfe's goal. He found Gonzalo Segares with a nifty backheel in the center circle, and the Fire defender sent a through ball past Brian McBride to Rolfe running on from the right side. With just Wicks in front of him, Rolfe's shot glanced off Wicks' hands and bounced into the goal for a 3-1 Fire lead.
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena played the same lineup he played in the Galaxy's 5-2 win against D.C. United last Saturday at The Home Depot Center.
The Fire nearly took the lead in the 10th minute, but Ante Jazic was perfectly placed at the right-hand post to head Bakary Soumare's header from Justin Mapp corner kick off the line.
The Fire then scored first in the 13th minute on a great piece of individual work by Rolfe. Rolfe hit the ground in a battle for the ball about 40 yards out, but got up and recovered the ball, then dribbled from right to left and picked the ball away from two Galaxy defenders before firing a left-footed shot into the left corner past Wicks.
The Galaxy got their first half goal with some signature teamwork. Landon Donovan sent the ball from above the box to the far right side, where defender Chris Klein gathered the ball then crossed it into the box to Eddie Lewis. Lewis got in front of his defender and flicked it inside the far post with his left boot, tying the game at 1-1.
The Galaxy got their first real shot on goal in the 26th minute when Ante Jazic dribbled into the middle and the Fire defense suddenly opened up, leaving him a wide open look at goalkeeper Jon Busch. But though the shot took a deflection off Soumare, Busch was able to react quickly and tip it over the bar.
In the final minute of the first half, Blanco and Wicks collided, and Blanco went down grabbing his face. He left the game for a few seconds before returning to finish off the half.
Arena made three substitutions in the second half. In the 63rd minute, Arena sent Peter Vagenas into the game for Gordon. In the 77th minute, Bryan Jordan entered the game for Edson Buddle. Then in the 80th minute, Brandon McDonald entered the game for Greg Vanney.
The Galaxy had very few scoring opportunities in the second half. The best perhaps was a ball in the 70th minute sent by Eddie Lewis from the left side to Donovan standing in the six-yard box, to the right of goal. Donovan's one-timer went high over the net.
Then in the 86th minute, defender Sean Franklin had a clear header off a corner kick, but sent the ball wide left.
The Galaxy remain on the road next week, taking on MLS overall leader Columbus at Crew Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4.
Kent McDill is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
