Uruguayan rookie Paolo Cardozo continues to impress for the Galaxy. This time the babyfaced midfielder set up L.A.'s goal in a 1-1 draw Thursday afternoon against San Jose at the Home Depot Center's track and field stadium.
Cardozo, who tallied in the Galaxy's first two preseason scrimmages, perfectly delivered a free kick for Mike Magee to nod home in the 84th minute as L.A. (1-0-2) overcame missing cohesion up front to claim another draw against Major League Soccer opposition.
Ike Opara scored for the Earthquakes (0-1-1), volleying in Joey Gjertsen's corner kick in the third minute.
Cardozo, 21, a first-round draft choice from Argentine club Quilmes, has in a week and a half on the field with L.A. demonstrated superb foot skills, attacking savvy and an ability to combine with teammates.
He's so slight -- just 5 feet 5, 135 pounds, and he doesn't look much older than 14 -- and the game in MLS is far more physical than in Argentina, so his ability to get on the field and contribute will depend on how quickly he acclimates.
“He's coming along, he's definitely coming along,” Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter said. “He's going to have to get used to the physicality of the league, but I think he'll be fine. … He's tiny, but he's shifty. He's a good player.”
Cardozo drew the foul, from Quakes defender Justin Morrow, to set up the free kick just to the right of San Jose's box, and he nearly gave L.A. a victory five minutes later, firing just past the upper-left corner.
He gave the Galaxy more attack than they managed from both sets of forwards. Juan Pablo Angel and prospective partner Chad Barrett haven't started connecting, and Magee seems further ahead than Adam Cristman on the second tandem.
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/6232/paolo-cardozo-stars-again-in-galaxy-draw
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