The Los Angeles Galaxy extended their unbeaten streak to six games on Sunday evening with a 1-1 draw against the Columbus Crew in Santa Clarita, Calif. Kyle Martino and Ned Grabavoy scored for L.A. and Columbus respectively on either side of halftime in a match, which was held as a benefit for the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children's Cancer and was played in front of a capacity crowd at Cougar Stadium on the campus of College of the Canyons.
The Galaxy got off to a perfect start, taking a 1-0 lead after just eight minutes when Kyle Martino struck against his former club. Peter Vagenas received a pass from Landon Donovan and quickly played it over the top of the Crew backline for Martino who was breaking in on the left. The L.A. midfielder was able to settle the pass and place a shot that Columbus goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum was able to get a hand on, but it was not enough to stop it from ending up in the back of the net. The goal was the first of the preseason for Martino.
The Galaxy continued to dominate the opening 45 minutes but could not add to their lead, despite Vagenas, Donovan, Nate Jaqua and Mike Randolph all going close. The home side was given another boost right before the end of the first half when Columbus defender Rusty Pierce was sent off for a foul on the Galaxy's Kevin Harmse.
However, despite playing down a man, Columbus was able to even the score early in the second half. Rookie defender Ty Harden was adjudged to have fouled the Crew's Ned Grabavoy in the box leading to a penalty kick. The former Galaxy midfielder, who was sent to Columbus in the trade that brought Kyle Martino to L.A. last May, proceeded to take the penalty himself and dispatched his shot past Joe Cannon, evening the score at 1-1.
For the remainder of the game, both teams would create a series of chances at each end of the pitch, but neither club could add to the scoreline. The best chance to break the deadlock came minutes from the end on a quick Galaxy counterattack when Josh Gardner got free on the left flank. The fourth-year midfielder fired a shot that beat Columbus keeper Bill Gaudette, but crashed off the crossbar and away from danger to keep the match all square all the way until the final whistle.
Scoring Summary:
LA - Kyle Martino (Peter Vagenas, Landon Donovan) 8'
CLB - Ned Grabavoy (Penalty Kick) 49'
Misconduct Summary:
CLB - Rusty Pierce (Red Card) 43'
LA- Kyle Veris (Yellow Card) 43'
Los Angeleas Galaxy: Joe Cannon, Chris Albright, Ty Harden, Tyrone Marshall (Kyle Veris 32'), Mike Randolph, Peter Vagenas, Kevin Harmse, Quavas Kirk (Santino Quaranta 46'), Kyle Martino (Robbie Findley 72'), Landon Donovan (Josh Garnder 46'), Nate Jaqua.
Columbus Crew: Andy Gruenebaum (Bill Gaudette 46'), Tim Ward, Rusty Pierce (Sent Off 43'), Chad Marshall, Brandon Moss, Danny O'Rourke, Duncan Oughton (Stefani Miglioranzi 71'), Jacob Thomas (Robbie Rogers 46'), Eddie Gaven (Brad Evans 71'), Ned Grabavoy (Aaron Chandler 74'), Kei Kamara (Jason Garey 74').
