Lethargic Galaxy Has No Chance
Perhaps it was inevitable. A cross-country trip to Ohio, a physically draining season-opening tie with the Crew in frigid Columbus, the prospect of a flight to Dallas on Friday -- no wonder the Galaxy wasn’t firing on all cylinders Wednesday night.
Instead, it was Mexican striker Juan Franco who was hot. He scored a goal in each half as Necaxa routed the Galaxy, 4-1, in the first game of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal series.
To reach the semifinals, the Galaxy will have to defeat Necaxa by an unlikely four goals in the second leg next week in Aguascalientes, Mexico. And to do that it will have to be defensively far more organized than it was Wednesday in front of 3,814 at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium.
The decisive goal came when a cross by Zague from the left wing found Franco only loosely marked about six yards in front of the Galaxy net.
Necaxa, noticeably faster, added a third goal in the 81st minute when a three-on-three break found the Los Angeles defense once again slow to react. Larrosa added the fourth in the 87th minute.
Necaxa is struggling in the Mexican league, sporting only a 5-6-2 record, but it was clearly the better team. The Galaxy, only one game into the new Major League Soccer season, still is trying to sort itself out.
That was evident on the first Necaxa goal in the 27th minute.
A breakdown in the defense allowed the mobile and dangerous Franco to get free at the edge of the penalty area, accept a pass from midfielder Victor Ruiz and blast a swerving shot just inside the right post for a 1-0 lead.
Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman was caught a shade out of position and was therefore beaten at the near post.
Franco went from hero to goat nine minutes later when he clattered into Alexi Lalas just outside the Necaxa penalty area and Canadian referee Mike Seifert had no hesitation in awarding the Galaxy a free kick.
Honduran striker Alex Pineda Chacon, making his first start for the Galaxy in Los Angeles, scored on a spectacular shot that gave Necaxa goalkeeper Omar Ortiz no chance.
In another Champions Cup quarterfinal match, Morelia of Mexico defeated the Columbus Crew, 6-0, in Mexico, meaning the only other MLS team left in the competition also needs a miracle to reach a second game.
Toluca completed a sweep for Mexican teams when it defeated Municipal of Guatemala, 2-1, in Guatemala City. Jose Cardozo and Miguel Almazan scored for Toluca, while Mario Acevedo got Municipal’s goal.
