PAMPLONA, Spain - The Los Angeles Galaxy scored a goal in each half and defeated CA Osasuna's "B" side by a 2-1 margin on Tuesday morning at Escuela de Fútbol Tajonar in Pamplona, Spain. The match was the first of three this week for the Galaxy as they continue their preseason trip. Guillermo Ramirez opened his Galaxy career with a goal before Osasuna's Borja Rubiata equalized for the hosts before the interval. Ramirez' countryman, Carlos Ruiz, provided the game-winning tally for the Galaxy midway through the second half.
Though the Galaxy had a couple of chances in the opening minutes to no avail, it was Ramirez who finally put his first opportunity away in the ninth minute after a collision between Galaxy forward Alan Gordon and Osasuna goalkeeper Roberto Santamaria.
With Santamaria whistled for a foul just outside the box, Ramirez lined up and struck a laser of a free kick on which the 'keeper had no chance, despite his best efforts.
Soon after the goal, the hosts responded with a couple of chances but were turned aside by the Galaxy defense until rookie Troy Roberts was judged to have handled the ball on the left side on the edge of the penalty area in the 19th minute. From there, Rubiata hit a low shot to the left of Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders, who guessed correctly, only to see the ball elude his reach.
The teams traded chances for the remainder of the half, but neither hit home and they entered halftime deadlocked.
The hosts opened the second half the better team but were unable to penetrate the Galaxy defense successfully. The Galaxy meanwhile, took advantage of their best chance and earned the win when Ruiz recorded the game winner ten minutes from time.
The Galaxy will continue their stay in Pamplona with another match on Wednesday - this time against Osasuna's first division club at Estadio El Sadar at 8:30 p.m. (Pamplona time). That match will be televised throughout the Southland on Saturday, March 12 at 4 p.m. PT on Telemundo.
Scoring Summary
LA - Guillermo Ramirez 9'
CAO - Borja Rubiata 19'
LA - Carlos Ruiz 58'
Lineups:
Los Angeles Galaxy
- Josh Saunders, Ugo Ihemelu, Ben Benditson (Todd Dunivant), Troy Roberts (Tyrone Marshall), Paul Broome (Michael Umaña), Guillermo Ramirez, Ned Grabavoy (Paulo Nagamura), Herculez Gomez, Josh Gardner, Alan Gordon (Naldo), Joseph Ngwenya (Carlos Ruiz).
Osasuna "B"
- Roberto Santamaria, Javier Flaño (Carlos Garde), Jaime Garcia, Iñaki Astiz, Javier Herreros, David Lazaro, Javier Adan, Diego Vera, Javier Moreno, Borja Rubiato, Ruben Estefania (Ion Erice).
