Fresh off a lackluster performance in their 0-0 draw last week to the Montreal Impact, the LA Galaxy were out to prove that they are ready to defend their MLS Cup Championship as they renewed their historic rivalry with Real Salt Lake.
Unfortunately for the Galaxy, Real Salt Lake played arguably their best soccer of the season as they rolled to victory over their rivals 3-0 on Saturday at the Rio Tinto Stadium.
Devon Sandoval had a brace, and Javier Morales also scored as Real Salt Lake kept their playoff hopes alive against one of the most star-studded rosters in MLS history.
"When I saw the Galaxy's lineup I was happy," Real Salt Lake defender Tony Beltran said. "I wanted them to come here with a full squad because I want to beat them at full strength."
The loss puts the Galaxy's chances of winning the Supporters' Shield in serious doubt, as they squandered an opportunity to overtake the Vancouver Whitecaps for first place in the Shield race.
“Yeah, the results went for us, but obviously, we just want to concentrate on what we do, and tonight wasn’t good enough," said Galaxy captain Robbie Keane after the game.
Real Salt Lake started the scoring in the third minute thanks to a brilliant display of passing by Kyle Beckerman and Morales who delivered the ball to the left foot of an unmarked Sandoval who easily found the open net.
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The Galaxy have had a tendency this season to relinquish early goals, usually able to come back from such deficits, but it was not to be inside the stadium known simply as "the RioT," a place that LA has struggled in historically.
“We played a better first half than the score indicates, but we just punished ourselves," LA Galaxy head coach and General Manager Bruce Arena said. "Putting ourselves in that position, conceding a goal in the first three or four minutes, is not a form with success on the road.”
Veteran midfielder Juninho, made an egregious error in the 26th minute with a sliding tackle in the box on Juan "El Burrito" Martinez. The Brazilian was whistled for a foul inside the box, and the Galaxy had gifted Real Salt Lake their second goal of the game after Morales stepped up and converted the penalty.
Sandoval put the game out of reach with his double in the 53rd minute. Once again, it was Martinez, who was a thorn in the Galaxy's side all night, who found Sandoval in front of the box for the header over the outstretched arms of Galaxy keeper Donovan Ricketts to give Real Salt Lake the 3-0 lead.
Despite the lopsided score, the Galaxy did not play as bad as the outcome would indicate. The "Fantastic Four" (Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Gyasi Zardes and Giovani Dos Santos), outshot Real Salt Lake 8-2 in the first half, but they were stymied all night by former USMNT keeper Nick Rimando who made four sensational saves on the night.
“It was difficult. We give full credit to Salt Lake, they were certainly the better team tonight, there’s no question about that," Keane said. "When you concede early, it’s certainly going to be difficult, and then the penalty. As a group and as a team, we just have to take responsibility for this, and quickly move on.”
Led by Gerrard, Los Angeles dominated the start of the second half and believed they had finally broken through when Gerrard found Keane for the goal, but the Irishman was called offsides. The Galaxy outshot RSL 12-to-11, and had nearly twice as many corners, but they just weren't able to put the ball in he net.
With five games left on the MLS season for Real Salt Lake, they stand just three points behind the Portland Timbers for the sixth and final playoff spot. Meaning every game from here on out, is do or die for the boys from Utah.
"This is what we live for, these big games and every game now is big," Sandoval said after the match. "So we're excited. Keep it rolling. Keep improving. We've got to win."
Meanwhile, the Galaxy still look strong in their playoff push with just four games remaining, but they are winless and scoreless in their last three matches with an absolutely stacked starting XI. The veteran laced lineup will need to play better on the pitch if they want to repeat as champions.
"We’ve got four games left to get the Supporters’ Shield and start winning some games going into the playoffs” Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza said. "Something has to start cooking."
