LA Galaxy vs. Quakes Player Ratings

This was one of those games where it was hard to stay awake for the full 90 minutes. A brutal match where both teams had difficulty looking coherent in the final third. Frankly, neither team looked like it deserved three points, and just when I was about to write a ratings summary of “meh,” Romain Alessandrini scored an absolute beauty of a curler. Nice individual effort, and along with some press from Boateng, and a delightful save from Bingham – earned the Galaxy three points and two wins in a row.

Not exactly a confidence booster due to the lack of offense, but it’s still something to build on, and it’s still three points.

The Galaxy’s final third woes were born out in this stat: 11 shots, 1 shot on goal. But that one shot counted.

Player Ratings

Good

· Romain Alessandrini – delivered a nice cross in the first 15 minutes that Pontius should have put away. Should have stayed on his feet in the second half when a goal seemed likely after a nice backheel from Kamara. Wonder strike that will be a candidate for goal of the week for LA’s one and only goal – just, wow! Goal line clearance after San Jose hit the crossbar, he was in the right place at the right time. Romain was terrible against Montreal (and his tantrum upon being subbed wasn’t pretty), but he made up for it in this game across 90 minutes. Was great to see the LA sign back.

· Ema Boateng – immediate impact by being more aggressive on offense, generating several decent attacks. Involved by retaining possession on Romain’s wonder goal. Gave up a dangerous freekick towards the end of the game. However, his offensive pressure did cause the Quakes problems – he had two key passes and an assist.

· David Bingham – fantastic fingertip save onto the crossbar. Had a good game against Montreal, and now a good game against the Quakes. The best he’s looked since the season started.

Okay

· Ola Kamara – dangerous cross following Romain’s which was just cleared out by the Quakes.

· Michael Ciani – nice defense to cut out a cross after a break, then bailed out Jorgen after Jorgen lost the ball against Wondo. That’s two games in a row where he hasn’t been a dumpster fire. Progress!

· Sebastian Lletget – deflected shot on goal in the second half. Nice run that was blocked by San Jose in the 60^th minute. Solid game where he was quietly effective by maintaining ball movement. He looks healthier each week.

· Dave Romney – recovered from his stinker a couple weeks ago, but I have nothing much to write here.

· Perry Kitchen – meh. Still can’t complete a forward pass to save his life.

· Jonathan Dos Santos – with multiple giveaways in the first half seemed nervous with Osorio in the stands. Improved to his normal self in the second half (maybe it was the short sleeves?).

· Giovani Dos Santos – late sub.

· Ashley Cole – late sub.

Poor

· Chris Pontius – just missed a header that should have been a goal in the first 15 minutes. Looked slow up the left, his passing was off, and he was mercifully subbed at the half.

· Emrah Klimenta – solid step up on a Quakes break in the first half following a corner. Should have been called for a PK with a lifted arm in the first half. Lucky that San Jose couldn’t do anything with the ball after a bad turnover with no one in the backfield. Mercifully subbed by Cole after six defensive actions total, and never getting into the final third. So far, not impressed and he doesn’t look like the long term answer at left back.

· Jorgen Skjelvik – got beat by a Wondo dribble and was lucky that Ciani managed the subsequent emergency defending well.

Man of the Match: Romain Alessandrini for an absolute beauty of a goal.