The LA Galaxy despite two goals by Robbie Keane were bumped out of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals by Club Tijuana. What went wrong?
Things unraveled quickly for Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan and co. in the L.A Galaxy’s 4-3 aggregate defeat against Club Tijuana in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal at Estadio Caliente in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico on Tuesday.
It was a nightmarish evening for the MLS club, who was unable to become the third club in league history to beat a Mexican club on the road.
The Galaxy certainly were not given any favors either playing in Estadio Caliente, where Tijuana is now unbeaten in 19 of their last 20 matches.
It was an uphill battle from the get-go against the Mexican outfit, with the Galaxy falling behind a nearly insurmountable score of 3-0 at half.
Tijuana also struck two posts in the first half to go with their 3-0 barrage through the first 45 minutes.
There were multiple factors that went into this quarterfinal ouster. But here are the three observances picked up throughout the match.
1) Leonardo’s Horrid Effort
In what looked to be maybe the worst match of his career, the 26-year-old Brazilian defender was completely overwhelmed by the Tijuana attack throughout the match.
He was targeted all night long, especially when over-committing on an attempted clearance and allowed the ball to be headed to Tijuana’s Richard Ruiz, who’s strike was sure to deliver the backbreaker to the Galaxy’s Champions League hopes in the 82nd minute.
There were multiple examples all match of either lazy play on his part, passes well long and poor positioning on boxouts and clearances which led to two of Tijuana’s four goals in the second leg.
2) Robbie Keane’s Emergence
The Irishman was largely quiet and frustrated throughout the first half, unable to muster any glimpses of opportunity. But Keane showed why he is so valuable to this club in scoring two second half goals to pull the Galaxy out of the grave and give them a chance at salvation.
His terrific half was guided by Landon Donovan’s subtle tap to the left near the Tijuana box that sprang Keane as he fired a low grounder into the right corner in the 85th to get the Galaxy once again within one (4-3 agg.).
But there was also another presence that occupied a lot of attention from the Tijuana defenders that opened up room for Donovan and Keane…
3) Rob Friend‘s Presence A Factor
When Galaxy manager Bruce Arena made a halftime switch to pull Brazilian youngster Samuel in favor of the Canadian veteran, it paid significant dividends on the offensive front.
While Samuel had a glorious chance at goal at 39’ with a brilliant tap over the heads of two Tijuana defenders deep in the Tijuana corner, Friend was able to help generate more passing and pressure from the L.A attack in the latter half.
It would come of no surprise if Arena plugs him into the starting 11 this Saturday in a rematch with Real Salt Lake.
Honorable Mention: A.J. DeLaGarza was the only solid defender on the back end for L.A last night. The American made multiple match-saving tackles in the second half to keep the Galaxy within a goal following Keane’s early second half strike to cut the deficit to 3-2 aggregate (3-1 match).
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