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The LA Galaxy defense wilted under the hot Texas sun as Sigi Schmid’s side were bested 3-2 by FC Dallas Saturday afternoon at Toyota Stadium.
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Daniel Steres got the nod at right back, while Chris Pontius was inserted into the midfield.
With temperatures in the high 80s, neither team was enthusiastic about pushing the pace. LA’s first opportunity came when Zlatan released Ola Kamara on the break, but the Norwegian international did not return the ball to an onrushing Ibrahimovic, hesitating before floating a cross behind the target forward, much to the annoyance of Ibrahimovic. Minutes later Alessandrini was inches away from finding Ibra in the box, and soon afterwards the Designated Player had LA’s most dangerous chance yet, striking a powerful shot from distance that required Jimmy Maurer to make a sprawling save.
And yet the Galaxy’s early positive play was quickly undone by a pair of FC Dallas goals. In the 28th minute Maxi Urriti found himself open centrally and quickly shuffled a quick strike past David Bingham, then Ronald Lamah stuck a dagger in LA’s hopes right before halftime, beating the offside trap and passing the ball around Bingham much to the dismay of a struggling Daniel Steres.
The Galaxy were given a lifeline three minutes after the break when Ola Kamara re-directed an Alessandrini corner kick into the net, and the Frenchman was agonizingly close to equalizing after another shot from distance clanged off the right post.
That's 3️⃣ goals in 3️⃣ games for @OlaKamara pic.twitter.com/qGC6N6yRRl
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) May 12, 2018
Unfortunately Mauro Diaz had other plans: After a spell of possession the FCD playmaker located Ronald Lamah at the far post for his third assist, dooming any hopes of a Galaxy comeback.
FC Dallas made things interesting after defender Reto Ziegler was dismissed for a second yellow card hauling down Alessandrini on the break. Substitute Emmanuel Boateng got on the end of Ashley Cole’s square ball to put away from close-range, and Zlatan had a chance late to eqalize but his free kick slammed off the right post to preserve FCD’s slim advantage.