CARSON, Calif. - Despite looking like a team still in the early stages of preseason - and facing a team that placed third in the FIFA Club World Championship barely two months ago - the Los Angeles Galaxy still managed to scrape out a scoreless draw with Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions' Cup quarterfinal on Thursday night at The Home Depot Center.
The Galaxy began their trek toward a second Champions' Cup title facing a side that, in addition to their December exploits in Japan, came into the regional club championship as defending champion. Saprissa won the Apertura (first-half title) in the Costa Rican Primera Division earlier this year - meaning the home side was facing a very confident team already in midseason form.
Then, before the first kick even happened, Todd Dunivant was scratched from the starting team with a hip injury sustained two days ago that had gone previously unreported. Dunivant has been surrounded by trade rumors over the past week. In addition to the absence of their starting left back, Ned Grabavoy, who was slated to start on the left side of midfield, was a late scratch with flu-like symptoms.
In their stead, rookie Nate Sturgis and Memo Gonzalez started at left back and left midfield respectively. The pair looked shaky throughout the opening 45 minutes showing their inexperience and lack of familiarity with one another.
The Costa Ricans took advantage of the inexperience on the Galaxy's left side early and often, and nearly made the Galaxy pay in the 12th minute. Tray Bennett slid in behind Sturgis and cut towards the center, where from the top edge of the penalty area he sent a curling cross to the back post where Pablo Brenes was waiting. His header was on frame, but Galaxy 'keeper Kevin Hartman stood tall to punch the ball clear for his first save on the night.
The Galaxy tried to answer minutes later from a free kick 20 yards out from goal. Landon Donovan and Herculez Gomez stood over the ball, and Donovan eventually deferred to Gomez, whose low shot was deflected off of a Saprissa defender for a corner kick.
Saprissa was soon back on the attack, again exploiting the left side. It was Bennett again, this time collecting a loose ball inside the penalty area and unleashing a drive towards the near post. But the shot lacked accuracy, flying past the wrong side of the post and into the side netting.
As the half wore on, things started to get very physical. On numerous occasions players were left on the turf following tough tackles. Jody Stewart of Saprissa and Ugo Ihemelu of the Galaxy were show yellow cards about 40 seconds apart.
Hartman came up big a couple times on Saprissa set pieces, most notably in the 32nd minute when Alonso Solis sent a cross into the area. Hartman plucked the ball out of the air though, making the save look rather routine.
While the Central American side had the majority of possession, the Galaxy ended the half with a fine chance. Troy Roberts picked out Gomez with a long pass out of midfield and last year's Galaxy MVP hit a pinpoint cross to strike-mate Donovan. From about 12 yards out Donovan ran onto the cross and hit a strong header, but steered his effort wide of the post.
Galaxy coach Steve Sampson made one change at halftime, opting for Josh Gardner in place of Gonzalez on the left side. The Galaxy came out of the locker room with a lot more intensity to open the second half, and Donovan made a pair of his patented long runs through midfield in the early goings to test the Saprissa defense.
The U.S. international came within a hair of scoring in the 57th minute. Again making a long run, Donovan flicked the ball over defender Gabriel Badilla, ran past him and went in alone on goal. Donovan's first touch got away from him a bit, allowing Saprissa 'keeper Jose Francisco Porras to make an initial save. However, the ball deflected back off Donovan and was heading into the net until Saprissa defender Jervis Drummond cleared the ball off the line at the last possible instant.
The Galaxy continued to press for a positive home result and in the 66th minute Gomez nearly took advantage of some confusion in the Saprissa penalty area. A Cobi Jones cross bounced around the area and was up for grabs for the first taker. Gomez won the ball, but from point-blank range fired over the crossbar.
In the 71st minute Donovan fed Gomez, who managed to beat Porras to the ball, but from a sharp angle and with little room to work with he banged his shot off the 'keeper.
Alan Gordon came on midway thought the second half, and received a great service from fellow sub Josh Gardner in the 76th minute. The 6-foot-3 striker rose up and sent a powerful header goalbound, but Porras again held the lid tightly shut on the Saprissa goal.
Against the run of play, Cristian Bolanos was sprung loose on what appeared to be a breakaway. However Tyrone Marshall chased him down, and just as Bolanos shot, the Jamaican international slid in the thwart the effort.
Despite the dominance the home side displayed in the second half, the game-winning goal just wasn't in the cards. Now the Galaxy are faced with the daunting task of having to travel to Costa Rica in search of a win if they are to advance to the semifinals.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
