LA Galaxy Draw 1-1 at Real Salt Lake on Keane Equalizer

The LA Galaxy came from behind against Real Salt Lake on a Robbie Keane equalizer to get out of Sandy, Utah with a 1-1 draw. It's LA's first point of the MLSseason, and with next weekend off it's probably best for fans not to look at the MLS standings until at least May.

Robbie Keane's goal was his 35th in only 58 MLS appearances. He dribbled an RSL mistake from about the midway line, crossed up a defender, then beat Nick Rimando to the near post. It was a thing of beauty, during an otherwise miserable day attacking. Other than that shot LA was unable to get a shot on target all day.

Salt Lake didn't have much better luck. Joao Plata created a big chance that Alvaro Saborio knocked home, but there was only one other shot on target. Both teams suffered the effects of heavy legs late in the match, and familiarity in this instance bred stagnation.

There were five changes from the last lineup Bruce Arena ran out, trying to correct some issues in the return leg with Tijuana. Leonardo was replaced by Todd Dunivant, with A.J. DeLaGarza moving to center back and James Riley moving over to right back. Outside of the Saborio goal, the renewal of the Gonzalez-DeLaGarza partnership steadied the ship until DeLaGarza had to leave the match after a hard challenge.

Jaime Penedo had to miss the match after returning to Panama to resolve a visa issue, and Brian Perk was fine as an understudy.

In the midfield, Baggio Husidic relieved Marcelo Sarvas and Stefan Ishizaki started in place of Gyasi Zardes. The biggest change may have been Bruce Arena using a diamond in the midfield pushing Landon Donovan up top and Husidic/Ishizaki as the wings. This allowed Donovan to work directly with the forwards, and more experience on the wings.

Up top, Rob Friend started ahead of Samuel. When Arena had to make two subs due to injury (James Riley coming out being the other), Friend had to go the full 90 at forward and showed a complete lack of passing ability. He wasn't that great in the air either.

It'll be interesting to see if the lineup is changed again when the Galaxy take on Chivas USA in two weeks, or if Arena sticks not only with the personnel but with the shape as well.