Galaxy Fails to Put Out Fire
Some home cooking wasn’t enough to overcome a depleted roster for the Galaxy.
The Galaxy (10-11-5), playing in its first MLS game at the Home Depot Center since July, was handed a 2-1 loss by the Chicago Fire (13-10-3), which was playing its first league game in more than two weeks, when midfielder Justin Mapp scored during second-half stoppage time.
Mapp maneuvered around four defenders and slipped his shot to the left of the goal, past a diving Kevin Hartman.
“Nobody really closed in on me, and I found myself having a shot,” said Mapp, who was available for the game only after being released from U.S. national team training a few days earlier.
The loss was similar to the Galaxy’s last game at home, when Freddy Adu scored for D.C. United to end a scoreless tie in stoppage time.
“I think they have to respect the game, the opponent, more in those situations,” Coach Steve Sampson said. “They are going for the win, and [we] have to keep [the defensive formation].”
Fire forward Chris Rolfe opened the scoring in the 11th minute, when his shot off a centering pass from forward Chad Barrett found the net. It was the sixth goal for Rolfe.
The Galaxy, playing without leading scorer Landon Donovan, Chris Albright, Guillermo Ramirez and Michael Umana because of national team commitments, answered 12 minutes later.
Ned Grabavoy intercepted a pass from Barrett, and his chip pass went to Herculez Gomez, who sent his fifth goal sailing past goalkeeper Zach Thornton.
Thornton, who at 6 feet 3 and 230 pounds resembles a middle linebacker, had five saves.
Both teams nearly scored again before the half ended. In the 44th minute, Barrett had an open lane inside the goalkeeper’s box, but his shot was turned away by a sprawling Hartman. The rebound careened to Barrett, but his second shot was turned away by a Tyrone Marshall header.
Six minutes later, Galaxy midfielder Peter Vagenas had an open look after receiving a pass from Joseph Ngwenya, but his shot sailed wide over the net.
The Galaxy had its best chance in the second half in the 89th minute, when Michael Enfield intercepted a header from Jack Stewart aimed at Thornton. However, before he got a shot off, the ball was kicked out of bounds.
“To me, it’s the worst [loss],” said Gomez, who finished with four shots on goal. “Letting that goal in the last second is unacceptable on any level.”
General Manager Doug Hamilton said the Galaxy, which plays four of its last six games at home, expects to have its full roster available for the remainder of the season.
“We discussed that we sent Landon and Chris in and didn’t expect them again until Wednesday,” Hamilton said at halftime. “With the U.S. team qualifying, I think you are going to see a lot of the guys more free-spirited.”
With an open roster spot and the transfer window closing in a little more than a week, Hamilton said he wasn’t necessarily looking to fill that spot.
“There’s been rumors for months,” he said. “If the right player came along, we’d have to take that opportunity.”
