LA Galaxy Columbus Crew match recap

LA drew the Columbus Crew 1-1 late Saturday night in an entertaining contest that was characterized by bad weather and a tale of two halves for yet another makeshift Galaxy lineup.

It took some time for the game to kick off, as the match was delayed by over two hours due to severe weather above Mapfre Stadium.

Killing time during a weather delay with a little game of four square: https://t.co/ip6apdRt8D #CLBvLA

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) June 14, 2015

And yet despite the lengthly delay, the Galaxy were excellent early, playing their finest first half so far this season. LA attacked with purpose, creating plenty of chances and putting Columbus on the back foot. Robbie Rogers and Jose Villarreal, inserted into the starting lineup after nursing injuries, were sharp and made a big difference.

The Galaxy deservedly went ahead in the 14th minute. After some combination play on the left touchline, Robbie Rogers burst up the field. At the top of the box, Crew defender Waylon Francis got a toe on the ball which rolled to Sebastian Lletget.

Lletget, a late addition to the starting lineup after Edson Buddle was scratched, faked out Michael Parkhurst by cleverly feigning a right boot to the ball before firing a low left footed drive that beat Steve Clark's near post.

Stefan Ishizaki was harshly denied a second goal, as he was ruled by the referee to have barged into Emmanuel Pogatetz inside the box before shooting past Clark.

That feeling you get when the ref robs you of your first goal of the season. http://t.co/9DZrtfRCmn

— Stefan Ishizaki (@StefanIshizaki) June 14, 2015

Out the five past games with an ankle injury and playing in front of his former fans in Columbus, Robbie Rogers looked fresh and was motivated to do well. Right before halftime, Rogers had another barnstorming run, evading two Crew players with a neat cutback before misfiring from point-blank range.

The second half was another story for Columbus as the Crew put pressure on the Galaxy defense from the onset. After a flurry of chances, Columbus equalized. Ethan Finley dribbled down the left flank, and with Leonardo missing an attempted tackle, the American winger raced into the box unimpeded before cutting back for Frederico Higuain, who placed his low shot in between Dan Gargan's legs into the net.

The game grew chippy after the score drew level. First Mika Vayrynen and Mohammed Saeid engaged in a brief dust-up on the sideline, then Omar Gonzalez chopped down Higuain, earning a yellow in the process.

Columbus continued to pepper the Galaxy net, but despite some dangerous chances, LA held on to earn a point on the road. 

The Galaxy head back home to battle the Philadelphia Union next week.