The Los Angeles Galaxy missed out on an opportunity to take the top spot in the Western Conference as the New York Red Bulls claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory Saturday night at The Home Depot Center.
Danleigh Borman scored his first career MLS goal to give the Red Bulls a first-half lead, then Angel scored the game-winner just moments after Alan Gordon had equalized for LA.
It was the Galaxy who came out the more aggressive side and nearly got on the board with two quick chances less than three minutes in. First, Gordon won a header and knocked the ball on for Donovan, who took a quick touch with his chest to bring the ball down. His right-footed volley was on target, forcing a save from Jon Conway.
Seconds later, the Galaxy forced another turnover and Donovan picked out Chris Klein on the right wing. Klein played a perfectly weighted ball into the area, where Gordon headed the ball into the back of the net, but the flag was up for offside.
The close call seemed to jog New York to life and the game got a lot tighter in the midfield. Quality scoring chances were limited for either team, but New York started to get a hold of the match.
In the 17th minute, a poor header from Sean Franklin allowed New York to quickly counter. Dane Richards won the ball, and picked out Altidore in the area. The young U.S. international held off a defender and dribbled into the area, but only some last-ditch defending from Greg Vanney prevented Altidore from getting off a shot.
There was some question if Altidore would be healthy enough to play, but four minutes later he was again in the middle of things as New York opened the scoring. A long throw-in from Hunter Freeman was flicked on by Juan Pablo Angel and Altidore brought it down the ball in the area, before turning and firing a powerful shot on target. Steve Cronin made the initial save, but the rebound bounced right to Borman, who buried a rebound from close range for his first career goal.
The Galaxy got slowly got back into the game and in the 35th minute came close to equalizing. Again, forcing a turnover in the offensive third, the ball made its way to Klein, who played another great ball into the area. The ball bounced inside the six and skipped to the back post where Mike Randolph was running on to it. Randolph was a step too late and his left-footed lunge for the ball missed wide.
The Galaxy continued to control the possession and won a corner kick just before the halftime whistle. Beckham's service found Gordon in the area and the tall striker rose up to win the header, but couldn't get much on it, sailing his effort over the crossbar.
Los Angeles came out after the break and continued to control the pace of the game. In the 52nd minute, Randolph went on a run down the left flank and played a ball into the area. Jeff Parke swooped across to clear the ball out for a corner, narrowly avoiding putting the ball into the back of his own net.
The field remained firmly tilted toward the New York end, but the Galaxy couldn't find the target. Over the course of the next 20 minutes, Los Angeles won corner kicks and free kicks and dominated possession, but couldn't even force a save from Conway.
It was New York that finally forced a save in the 73rd. Angel controlled a long ball out of the midfield, but inside of Troy Roberts and fired a low shot towards the back post. Cronin got down quickly though and got his left hand to the ball to keep LA within one.
The Galaxy finally got a shot on goal in the 77th minute, and it was the equalizer they were looking for. Randolph dribbled into the box on the left side and played a ball along the ground for Gordon. Gordon collected the ball, turned, and hit a slow roller inside the back post that beat Conway.
The celebrations were short lived however. From the restart, New York immediately went on the attack, and Dane Richards fed Angel, who broke through the Galaxy back four, rounded Cronin and slammed the ball high into the back of the net.
Conway came up big for New York in the 84th minute. The Galaxy were pressing forward and managed to work the ball around the edge of the area to Randolph, who was all alone at the back post. Randolph put his shot on target, but Conway made himself big and kept the Red Bulls in front.
It was the last good chance Los Angeles would get on the night, as the Red Bulls weathered the storm and walked away with the full complement of points. For LA, the top half of the Western Conference lost as well, so ground wasn't conceded in the standings. Next up for the Galaxy is an exhibition game against the Vancouver Whitecaps before heading out on a road trip to Dallas.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
