LA Galaxy vs. DC United Player Ratings

The LA Galaxy played to a scoreless 0-0 draw with DC United Saturday night thanks to a post and some stellar Bill Hamid saves. Before this road swing if you had asked Galaxy fans if they would have taken 10 points from the past 4 games, they would have said a resounding yes. This road series was a definitive success, driving the Galaxy back up the standings chart, and removing some of the pitchforks that were taking up residence in front of the Galaxy front office.

Though the team wasn’t their sharpest in RFK Stadium, they did their job and came away with a professional point. Now the team can worry about games up ahead without Giovani Dos Santos, and potentially Gyasi Zardes, as the Gold Cup draws nearer. Plus they can rest and recover with an injury list that feels like it claims another victim every week.

Against DC United the Galaxy had a lot of endeavor, but not so much finished product. However, their defense managed to hold even with a temporary centerback and a third string goalkeeper. Not too shabby.

Player Ratings

Good:

• Giovani Dos Santos - nice feed to Boateng in minute 6, great through ball to Alessandrini in minute 81, and three key passes. His movement in the last month has been excellent, as has his passing; he’s not hogging the ball as much as he used to.
• Romain Alessandrini - six key passes (!), was one of the most dangerous players on the pitch. Exposed by Ortiz a few times for his lack of defense. Couldn’t get the ball in from the right hand side to save his life.
• Dave Romney - one of our champions in offense off of set pieces: great header off a freekick in minute 63 saved by Hamid, and another header denied off a cornerkick a few minutes later by Hamid. Has held down the fort for Daniel Steres.

OK:

• Jon Kempin - for a goalkeeper thrust into a starting role for the first time ever for the senior team, not so bad. Was unsure a few times on when to be aggressive in coming out of his box, and wasn’t the best ball distributor, but he also had a copule of decent saves. There was a solid save on Sam in minute 43, and then a save on a low daisy cutter in minute 50.
• Emmanuel Boateng - looked a bit tired in this game. Had a nice counter in minute 6, but missed his shot, also had a nice counter to Zardes to open second half, but didn’t combine well with Dos Santos. Just needs to continue to work on his finishing. Two key passes.
• Rafael Garcia - can’t think of anything exciting that happened here. Once again, played simple and that’s a plus.
• Joao Pedro - had a couple of nice key passes, though also had a dumb foul right outside the box in the 57th minute that wasn't punished. A little casual with the ball on the right hand side when deep in his box, but luckily didn’t pay for it.
• Ashley Cole - has his pocket picked in minute 34 by Acosta. Other than that, did his job.
• Bradley Diallo - And uneventful night is a good night. Did give the ball up in a few bad positions when DC United worked down the right hand side, but overall no major mistakes.

Poor:

• Gyasi Zardes - it’s just not working for him in the final third, though he did have two key passes and a shot that Hamid saved. Also had a nice defensive play towards the end of the game to stop Neagle from scoring. The alternatives to Zardes are even more anemic, as neither of the subs did anything to force the issue.
• Jelle Van Damme - another weirdly disjointed game for Jelle. Denied Nyarko in minute 12, beat by Ortiz in minute 20, yellow card (suspended for next match), caught upfield right before the first half ended, and his lazy turnover led to Acosta hitting the crossbar. Just seemed to lack discipline and is back to me yelling, “JELLE, STAY HOME!” during various parts of the game.

Not Rated:

• Jack McInerney/Jaime Villarreal - late subs. Though McInerney once again didn’t do enough with his approximately 20 minutes. No one is clearly beating out Zardes for that starting forward spot even with his troubles.