Compared to the recent improvement shown since Frank Yallop took over as head coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy, perhaps a quiet opening 45 minutes should have been expected Saturday night against Real Salt Lake.
But Yallop's side got a couple of near-gifts within the first five minutes after the halftime break, then rounded out another stellar defensive performance for a 2-0 victory against Real Salt Lake on Saturday night at The Home Depot Center.
The game took 47 minutes to really get going. Fatigue definitely seemed to play a factor in the opening half. A total of four shots were generated in the opening half, none on target, in what was nothing short of a sluggish performance by both teams.
The Galaxy early on definitely dominated what few chances were created, something that Yallop pointed out after the game.
"We've had a lot of games in a short amount of time so it was expected," said Yallop, who has seen his team play three games in eight days. "We still created some stuff. Still I thought we had some good chances to create something. I just said at halftime we have to keep going and step up the pace a little bit."
What few chances the Galaxy did create in the opening half came down the left side. Josh Gardner has enjoyed a resurgence of playing time since the arrival of Yallop and sent several dangerous crosses into the middle before scoring the Galaxy's insurance goal in the second half.
"He's a pacey player who was probably lacking a little bit of confidence when I first came in," said Yallop about Gardner. "Games help players. He's played very well in the games. He played well tonight. To cap it off with a goal is very good for Josh."
The Galaxy scored twice in the opening five minutes of the second half. High pressure in the offensive third led to two turnovers that directly led to goals for the home team. That injection of energy plus a few good breaks was all the difference tonight for Los Angeles.
"We got some breaks. I think it was a turnover that led to Herculez's goal, and one that led to Josh's goal," said Chris Albright. "Those are the kind of breaks you need in a game like that. It was kind of a plodding type of game. We still had the better of the game and deserved to win."
This is the third win in a week's time for the Galaxy as well. Highlighted during that streak has been the defensive effort. RSL came close in the second half when Andy Williams banged a shot off the crossbar, but the Galaxy held their guests in check throughout the majority of the contest.
The Galaxy now holds the longest shutout streak in MLS this season at 422 minutes. The streak dates back to the 28th minute of their road game against New York three weeks ago, and includes four consecutive clean sheets.
With each game the confidence of the Galaxy team seems to be growing, and every player on the roster seems to be buying into the concept of defense first.
"I think it's a big psychological boost for sure," said center back Tyrone Marshall. "You can see a lot more confidence in our play. We're trying to play within a team concept. The confidence is there and the shutouts are coming with the victories."
Kevin Hartman has seemed to make one spectacular save a night during the streak. On Saturday it was the only one he was called upon to make, off the head of Jason Kreis late in the game, when he plucked a ball earmarked for the top corner out of the air with a diving stop. But Hartman is quick to spread the credit for the shutout streak to his teammates.
"I think it's guys coming back from the World Cup, I think guys gaining confidence, I think the fact that our training has been good and sharp allowed us to be more and more fit and we've reacted well," said Hartman. "Hopefully we can continue what's been going on these past couple of weeks."
A crucial six-point swing awaits the Galaxy next weekend. With the win against Real, the Galaxy moved to within five points of Chivas USA for the final playoff spot out west. A win next Saturday will pull the Galaxy to within striking distance of a playoff position, and as they proved last season, anything is possible once the postseason begins.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
