Magee’s goal is enough for Galaxy
Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, who have combined to score 111 goals for the Galaxy, weren’t available for Los Angeles on Saturday night.
But the team’s leading scorer for 2013 was.
Mike Magee scored his fourth goal of the season on a penalty kick less than four minutes into the second half, and it was all the Galaxy needed for a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids.
Magee actually had a relatively quiet night, allowing the team’s two homegrown starters at the top of the formation, Jose Villarreal, 19, and Jack McBean, 18, to set an aggressive pace for the team, particularly in the first half. The two teenagers, who have played together since their days with the Galaxy youth academy, registered five shots on goals each in the first half for L.A., which had nothing to show for its 14-1 shot advantage at halftime.
“Everybody was upbeat,” said Todd Dunivant, who served as team captain in Keane’s absence. “We knew a goal was going to come, and come quickly. And it did.”
The intense play continued early in the second half when Galaxy midfielder Marcelo Sarvas took an elbow to the face while fighting for position with Drew Moor just inside the Rapids’ penalty box.
Magee was called upon to take the penalty shot, and he did not disappoint the crowd of 19,936 at the Home Depot Center, sending his kick past the fingers of diving goalkeeper Clint Irwin into the left corner of the net.
With Moor red-carded for the incident with Sarvas, the Galaxy (2-0-1) found itself with a one-goal advantage and a man-advantage over Colorado (0-3-1). But instead of going for the kill, L.A. suddenly lost its high-energy approach and appeared more sloppy and tentative on the field.
It was reminiscent of the Galaxy’s game against Chivas USA, when L.A. played all of the second half with a man advantage and only came away with a disappointing 1-1 tie. Coach Bruce Arena refused to blame the second-half letdown on the absence of several of the team’s stars.
“There’s no guarantees,” Arena said. “Robbie played last week” and the same thing happened.
Keane and leading defender Omar Gonzalez were away playing for their national teams in World Cup qualifiers, Keane for Ireland and Gonzalez for the U.S.
Both players should be back in time for the Galaxy’s Champions League semifinal game against Toronto FC on March 30.
Donovan has been on an extended leave of absence but is expected to start practicing with the team next week as well.
It was another relatively easy night for Galaxy goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who made three saves for a total of four this MLS season. Irwin, a rookie making his first MLS start in place of injured Colorado goalie Matt Pickens, made seven saves, six in the first half.
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