Defending champs eliminated in quest for unprecedented third-straight crown.
Los Angeles’ season came to a screeching halt, losing 2-1 in a two-game aggregate against Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference semifinals on Thursday.
The two-time defending champions were eliminated in a heartbreak fashion. Their undoing came in the 102nd minute when the second-leg went into extra time as Real’s Chris Schuler was parked next to the far post and put home a free kick by Javier Morales from 40 yards out to end L.A’s season.
The Galaxy’s quest to be the first MLS team ever to win three-straight titles was over. But for Galaxy fans, they were once again treated to the spectacular displays shown by Designated Player Robbie Keane.
Keane, along with captain Landon Donovan, spearheaded the Galaxy to back-to-back MLS Cups and dazzled the crowds at Home Depot Center again this year. The 33-year-old Irishman led the club in goals (16) and assists (11) in 24 games this campaign. Donovan was right behind him, finishing second in goals (10) and assists (7).
Although seeing the likes of Keane and Donovan have been rather entertaining, the faithful in L.A might be weary that the top four scorers on the club this season were no younger than 29 this year. Keane (33), Donovan (31), Chicago Fire forward Mike Magee (29) and Marcelo Fazzio Sarvas (32) were the club leaders in goals this year. (Magee back on May 24 was traded to Chicago for Robbie Rogers) Sooner or later, Keane and Donovan won’t be able to carry the load for the Galaxy in the long-term.
With 22-year-old Hawthorne, CA native Gyasi Zardes finishing fifth on the team in goals (4), there might need to be a youth movement in the works for the Galaxy going forward 3-5 years.
A telling problem of age is that the Galaxy yielded 17 goals this year within the 76-90 min. mark of every match, nearly three-times more than their next highest number at six between the 16-30 min. threshold. Another concern for the Galaxy was their struggles on the road. At the Home Depot Center they had an impressive 11-4-2 (W/D/L) record (3rd in MLS), but were a dismal 4-4-9 on the road, good for a tie at 11th in the MLS with Montreal (according to ESPNFC).
Was it disappointing that the Galaxy missed their opportunity for their third-straight title? No doubt. But it also allows fans to see that maybe it is time to think about rebuilding whence Keane and Donovan can no longer shoulder the burden of being the two main guys of the club.
Time will tell. The off season is upon us and for the Galaxy, there is work to be done for the future.
Copyright 2013 SportSpeak LLC, all rights reserved. For more coverage, follow @SportSpeakLA and @SportSpeakOC on Twitter.