.png){kind=small}
LA Galaxy Pressing Game Results in a 5-2 Victory Over Vancouver Whitecaps.
After coming off a loss against Sporting KC. A different LA Galaxy came out tonight to Dignity Health Sports Park. LA Galaxy started their game with high possession against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Center-mid Victor Vazquez gave pace for LA Galaxy by creating goal-scoring opportunities for his attack. While Whitecaps goalkeeper, Cody Cropper, was not easing up on LA Galaxy and made a massive save in the 9th minute from a powerful header by Galaxy's, Kevin Cabral.
Throughout the entire 1st half Cabral and Grandsir were on a connection roll. Araujo being Araujo was starting plays from the back in the 11th minute when he sent a ball up to Cabral who passed it across the grain to Grandsir, who then finished it to the back of the net. Giving Galaxy a 1-0 lead just minutes into the game.
Another play from the duo (Grandir and Cabral) happened in the 16th minute when a similar play to how they scored happened and hit the hand of Whitecap defender, Veselinovic . The LA team argued the handball to the referee, causing the referee to check VAR, following a decision to a Penalty Kick in favor of the LA Galaxy. The Whitecaps did not argue the decision and Captain, Chicarito Hernandez went up to take the penalty kick. The finish had no power and slightly chipped over the goalkeeper, Cody Cropper. LA Galaxy leading 2-0 by the 18th minute.
Minutes after, Araujo slipped a ball to Chicarito who did a simple yet effective give and go on top of the 18 with center mid, Victor Vazquez who made a clean finish that resulted in a goal. LA Galaxy leading now 3-0 in the 29th minute.
LA Galaxy was attacking well until the 37th minute when goalkeeper, Cropper punted a ball that landed in Ryan Gauld's path, causing some miscommunication between Araujo and goalkeeper, Jonathan Bond. Giving Whitecaps some momentum to what at that moment was now 1-3. Moments before the end of the 1st half, Araujo assisted a ball to Grandsir who placed it perfectly as he did in his first goal. Ending the 1st half at 4-1 LA Galaxy.
2nd half started with the Whitecaps lacking high pressure on the Galaxy defense and a lot of pressure and scoring opportunities for the Galaxy offense. However, no goals were conceived until the Vancouver squad's attacker that subbed in, Cristian Dajome dribbled the ball to the end of the goal line and laid the ball on top of the penalty box to Tosiant Ricketts who also subbed on and scored in the 70th minute. Now 4-2 with Galaxy still in the lead.
Dajome's moments on the field started once that goal happened. He tried to aggressively take the ball away from Bond's hands as he was picking up the ball from the net. However, Bond didn't let the ball go, and ended up on the floor somehow from being shoved by Dajome. Chaos and confrontation from both teams happened at that moment and resulted in a yellow card for Vancouver's, Dajome, and Galaxy's Edwards.
Shortly after, things were getting a little physical from the Whitecaps and a lot of fouls were happening. However, it wasn't until enough was enough for the referee when, Vancouver's, Dajome cleated Araujo when trying to get a ball. Resulting in a red card for Dajome's short but effective time in the match.
Later, Dejan Joveljic came in as a sub and took his player on with a simple right-footed cut on his defender and pass on top of the pk box to Efrain Alvarez who securely placed it into the back of the net. Giving LA Galaxy an even more secure lead of 5-2 in the 89th minute.
Galaxy's, Bond made two huge saves on a freekick and open shot that all happened in less than a minute that could have nearly been another goal for the Whitecaps. But made these big saves to end the game at 5-2 LA Galaxy.
LA Galaxy played a great game as a collective unit. However, Samuel Gransir, Kevin Cabral, Julian Araujo, and Victor Vazquez stood out like no other and really lead their team and all made a huge impact in their win today at home for their fans.
Photos by LA GALAXY
Comments