Sean Franklin's rocket blast of a goal from outside the 18-yard box was the only goal of the LA Galaxy's 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Sunday at StubHub Center. The goal also put the Galaxy up 1-0 going into the second leg of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Franklin, who had one other shot in the match, led the Galaxy in Match Impact Rating with a 43.5 for his 90 minutes of action. The defenders as a whole did their part in the win. Omar Gonzalez suffered four fouls and committed only one to rack up a MIR of 39.5. Kofi Opare committed no fouls and drew one to finish with a MIR of 10.
Robbie Keane, whose (possibly) errant pass teed up Franklin (see above), finished the match with an assist, four shots (one on target) and a foul drawn for a MIR of 40.5.
The dropoff for forwards and midfielders was severe after Keane. Robbie Rogers, who went 61 minutes in the match, turned in a 14 for a shot off-target, two fouls committed and one suffered. Marcelo Sarvas suffered one foul in 83 minutes for a MIR of 10.8. Landon Donovan took two off-target shots, got caught offside once, committed two fouls and suffered one finished with a MIR of 9.3. Gyasi Zardes who went the full 90 minutes, took two off-target shots and committed a foul finished with a -0.3 MIR. Juninho missed on his only shot attempt and committed three fouls (one yellow card) in 89 minutes for a MIR of -1.3.