Tuesday, June 14, 2011

GALAXY: Reserve race almost over

The Galaxy's primary goals this season: Win another Supporters' Shield, reach the knockout phase of the CONCACAF Champions League and claim the MLS Cup title in front of their home fans.


Good thing an MLS Reserve League championship isn't vital, because they're all but dead after Monday's 1-0 loss at Seattle. L.A. is 0-4-0 and can catch the Sounders (6-0-0) only by winning its six remaining league games as the West Division leaders go winless in their last four.

Not very likely. The Sounders, who have shut out their past three foes, pride themselves on their depth, and it certainly showed. Their lineup included Swedish star Erik Friberg, Costa Rican outside back Leo Gonzalez, veteran defender Patrick Ianni and veteran forward Pat Noonan.

Riverside's Sammy Ochoa (Riverside Poly HS), on trial with Seattle after playing the past five years with Mexico's Estudiantes Tecos, scored the goal. He knocked a rebound over a pile of bodies after Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Perk made a point-blank save on his first shot from a Friberg feed.

Perk made seven saves, the biggest a diving foot save on Miguel Monta�o in the 71st minute.

WORTH NOTING: Defender Kyle Davies, who exited last week's Reserve League loss at San Jose with an ankle injury, was a second-half substitute. … Duke-bound winger Riley Wolfe (Manhattan Beach/Mira Costa HS) came on late for the Galaxy. On the bench were Loyola Marymount-bound goalkeeper Vince Paldino (Torrance/North Torrance HS) and midfielder Grady Howe (Newport Beach/Corona del Mar HS), a high school junior (and CdM teammate of Galaxy forward Jack McBean's). All three are from L.A.'s Academy. ... MLS on Monday awarded defender Todd Dunivant a secondary assist on Chris Birchall's second-minute goal in Saturday night's 2-2 draw with Toronto FC. Miguel Lopez was credited with the primary assist Saturday. TFC's Danleigh Borman was given an assist on Alan Gordon's first goal. … Next Monday's Reserve League game against Vancouver has been moved to Home Depot Center's Track and Field Stadium. It will begin at 11 a.m. … No playoffs are planned at the end of the Reserve League regular season; the top teams in each of three divisions will be divisional champs.

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Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/8829/galaxy-reserve-race-almost-over

Luca Toni Alex HernĂ¡n Crespo

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