Despite no lack of quality chances on both sides, the Los Angeles Galaxy and D.C. United played to a goalless draw on Saturday night at The Home Depot Center.
Through a combination of injuries and national team call-ups, Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop was forced to put out a threadbare lineup, with only 13 players to choose from to face a full-strength United squad. Still, it was the home side that came out and dominated the opening quarter hour of the match.
In just the second minute, the Galaxy got their first opportunity of the game, nearly capitalizing on a D.C. turnover in the offensive third. A series of one-touch passes set up Pete Vagenas, whose shot from the top of the penalty area sailed just wide of the net.
Two minutes later, Nathan Sturgis picked out Cobi Jones with a long switch. Jones collected the ball and sent a cross into the area where Nate Jaqua got a foot to the ball from point blank range. But the snake-bitten forward continued to lack the finishing touch, as his effort went over the bar from six yards out.
Seconds later, Landon Donovan found himself in alone on United 'keeper Troy Perkins, but as he tried to round the goalie, Perkins slid out and snatched the ball off of Donovan's foot.
The Galaxy continued to dominate, pressing the attack, and in the 12th minute Ian Russell made a run forward from his right back position and played an inch-perfect cross to Sturgis. From 12 yards out Sturgis managed to put his header on goal, but right at Perkins, who made the easy save.
Failing to capitalize on their early chances, the Galaxy and the pace of the game slowed. The next 15 minutes were played in the midfield with both sides trading possession and fouls, but failing to put anything menacing in the direction of either 'keeper.
In the 27th minute, United finally got their attack going. Brazilian forward Luciano Emilio took a sharp-angle shot from inside the area that Joe Cannon saved, only to cough up a rebound. Jaime Moreno was lurking nearby to pounce, but Cannon quickly recovered and cleaned up his mess, making a second save on Moreno.
Jaqua had another opportunity at goal in the 35th minute. Santino Quaranta drove a ball from the right flank to the back post and Jaqua beat Perkins to the ball, but could only manage a looping header that missed the target and landed on the roof of the net.
Three minutes later, United midfielder Fred forced Cannon into another save. Emilio tried to scissor home the rebound, striking the upright, but two D.C. players were ruled offside on the follow up effort.
Just before the interval, rookie Ty Harden joined the attack from his left fullback position and played a cross along the field through the area. Donovan got on the end of the cross but sent a left-footed effort 10 rows deep into the stands, continuing the frustration for Los Angeles in front of the net.
The second half started off with the ball spending much more time in the D.C. end, but it was United that produced the first good scoring chance of the half. Ben Olsen found Christian Gomez open on the left side of the penalty area. The reigning MVP collected the ball and lined up a shot, which was blocked by a sliding Kyle Veris.
In the 58th minute, it was Gomez playing the role of provider, streaking down the right wing and sending in a dangerous cross. Emilio got on the end of it, and headed the ball on target, bringing yet another save out of Cannon.
DC continued to press, and in the 62nd minute Moreno crossed the ball into the area, finding Fred lurking on the back post. The Brazilian headed the ball down and back in the direction it came from, but his effort bounced in the goal area and wide of the target.
Los Angeles nearly broke through in the 72nd minute. Vagenas stole the ball in midfield and immediately started a counterattack. He picked out Donovan, who gathered the ball and with Perkins on his back as he veered away from goal, laid the ball back to Jones. Jones shot at an empty net, but defender Bryan Namoff slid in the way of the shot, saving a sure goal.
Los Angeles came close again in the 79th minute. Jaqua took a quick throw-in that caught United by surprise. Second half substitute Robbie Findley broke in behind the defense and laid off a square ball to Donovan. Donovan took a touch, cocked up his left foot and shot, but Bobby Boswell slid in to block the effort.
That was the last good chance for either team. The Galaxy's struggle to find wins at home continued -- and could be even tougher over the next few weeks as Donovan, the team's offensive catalyst, will be away with the U.S. national team. United saw their three-game winning streak come to an end, but they are still undefeated in five consecutive games.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
