The Galaxy like beating Seattle. I like watching LA beat Seattle. Somewhere along the way the rivalry with this club became nearly as big as the one against that little club up North. It might be the DPs, it might be Donovan vs. Dempsey, it might be Seattle fans...whatever it is, whenever LA beats the Rave Green it tickles me pink.
So it was with dismay I watched the Galaxy emergency defend for 90 minutes (thank goodness for Jelle Van Damme), and field an offense that was as exciting as watching paint dry. LA created three chances. Total. If there ever was a game that proved how important Gyasi Zardes is to the Galaxy, this was it (get well soon!). This year he is essential to making the LA offense go with his industry, ability to get in behind the defense, and his partnership with Robbie Keane (a few years ago we would have called the last item in that list sheer craziness).
In other words, Gyasi Zardes in his absence gets an 8.
Player Ratings:
Jelle Van Damme - 9 Let's start with the clear Man of the Match. Two goal line clearances from sheer perseverance get you a 9. Yes, he could have been yellow carded out of the game. But the block on a wide open Morris was pure Van Damme bullheadedness, and he had Dempsey's number all day. He refused to give up on plays, and LA pretty much has a point because of him. He's been a beast in the back, and worth every penny.
Brian Rowe - 8 He's been quite good this year, and was good once again today. His reverse direction save off a deflection near the end of the game shows he has learned a ton about placement, and his hands seem more sure with every game. He occasionally does have a brain fart - in this game the soft pass that nearly went wrong, but overall with 5 saves today off of 8 Seattle shots on target, it was a good day at the office.
Daniel Steres - 6 Really struggled with Seattle's movement and foiled by Lodeiro's passing many times. Also lost Morris in the last 10 seconds of the game on what should have been a game losing goal. He's lucky Morris can't hit the broad side of a barn right now. Many defensive actions, but I'm never comfortable when he's on the pitch.
Ashley Cole - 6.5 Also struggled with Lodeiro's passing game, and didn't quite seem to have a working relationship with Boateng. That said, he was tidy with the ball (one of the few Galaxy players who was), and did have 14 defensive actions.
AJ DeLaGarza - 4 He just hasn't looked decent this year. Maybe because he's not playing with Omar? He was beat multiple times for pace down the right, in particular Morris dragging him around. Not as good with the ball either, though he did send the great over-the-top ball to Keane for an almost moment of brilliance.
Steven Gerrard - 5 Not a good game after a string of decent appearances. He lost the ball under his feet multiple times, sent in many bad passes, was caught ball watching on Seattle's opening goal, and overall many of his passes in the final 18 went awry. That said, he had the lovely assist to Lletget that caused havoc and created two of the three Galaxy chances.
Giovani dos Santos - 4 He played? He didn't have a single missed pass. Then again, the majority of his passes are sideways or backwards. Has one pass in the final 18 and it's backwards. LA is paying too much for him to be invisible.
Jeff Larentowicz - 5 Meh. I know that's short, but did he do anything else of note today?
Nigel de Jong - 6 Bypassed by Lodeiro a few times - a common theme - and couldn't stem the tide of Seattle's attack. Sat deep in the effort to protect the defense, which was hit or miss.
Emmanuel Boateng - 5 Not enough smart touches on the ball, couldn't get behind the Seattle fullbacks, and struggled in his passing relationship with the rest of the Galaxy offense. Didn't seem to be able to stretch the defense and a disappointing lack of aggression.
Robbie Keane - 5 That play in the 90th minute would have been one of the goals of the year. For a guy that doesn't seem the most flexible, I can't believe he got his leg up that high, and the ball on target. Sadly, Chad Marshall bailed Seattle out. Stranded up top with only 13 successful passes for the game. Passing game when he had the ball was also disappointing.
Lletget - 6.5 Had 1 forward pass in the attacking half. His goal. But hey, he scored.
Magee/Husidic - not rated Late subs