TUCSON, Ariz. – Marcelo Sarvas’ 79th-minute free-kick goal didn’t help the LA Galaxy beat the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night, but it did help them reach the final of the Desert Diamond Cup.
A dominant New York won the match 2-1 on goals from strikers Kenny Cooper and Thierry Henry, giving the Red Bulls a 1-2-0 record in the preseason tournament. But Sarvas’ strike late in the match put the Galaxy – also finishing 1-2-0 – through on superior goal differential.
Cooper opened the scoring in the 31st minute, receiving Connor Lade’s pass at the top of the box and had plenty of time to set up and fire past Josh Saunders.
In the 63rd minute, Henry got into the act in his first appearance in the Desert Diamond cup, sending a powerful hearer off a chip from Dane Richards past Saunders.
LA will face New England in Saturday’s championship match, while New York will meet Real Salt Lake in the third-place game.
Scoring Summary:
NY – Kenny Cooper (Connor Lade, Teemu Tainio) 31’
NY – Thierry Henry (Dane Richards) 63’
LA – Marcelo Sarvas (Unassisted) 79’
Misconduct Summary:
NY – Stephen Keel (Yellow Card) 28’
LA – David Beckham (Yellow Card) 53’
Lineups:
New York Red Bulls – Ryan Meara (GK), Jan Gunnar Solli, Markus Holgersson, Wilman Conde (Stephen Keel 20’), Connor Lade, Dane Richards, Teemu Tainio (Brandon Barklage* 77’), Dax McCarty, Mehdi Ballouchy, Kenny Cooper, Thierry Henry
Substitute Not Used: Jeremy Vuolo, Tyler Ruthven, Jonathan Borrajo, Jhonny Arteaga, Jose Angulo
LA Galaxy – Josh Saunders (GK), A.J. DeLaGarza, Andrew Boyens, Tommy Meyer, Sean Franklin (Bryan Gaul 46’), Mike Magee (Chad Barrett 73’), Juninho (Rafael Garcia 73’), David Beckham (Marcelo Sarvas 66’), Hector Jimenez (Pat Noonan 88’), Paolo Cardozo, Adam Cristman (Jack McBean 58’)
Substitutes Not Used: Brian Perk, J.T. Murray, Justin Davies, Kenney Walker
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Referee’s Assistants: Anthony Vasoli, Eduardo Mariscal
4th Referee: Mark Declouet
Attendance: 6,212
- Guest Player
HIGHLIGHTS: New York Red Bulls 2, LA Galaxy 1
