LA Galaxy Move on Vs Herediano in CONCACAF Champions League
By Doug Smith
After a scoreless draw the LA Galaxy and Herediano entered the Home Depot Center with their best available players. Bruce Arena would make two changes from the first leg, which included U.S. U20 phenom Jose Villarreal starting alongside Robbie Keane. The defensive minded Costa Rican squad would start the game in a 4-1-4-1.
It was not enough as a set piece gave the Galaxy the advantage in the first half. The hard work of the Galaxy attackers would pay off in the second half and LA would win the quarterfinal match up with a 4-1 victory in the second leg.
Mar 7, 2013; Heredia, COSTA RICA; Los Angeles Galaxy player Robbie Keane (left) goes up for a header against Herediano player Pablo Salazar during the match at Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Arguedas/EFE via USA TODAY Sports
Herediano would must three threatening set pieces in the first ten minutes of the match, but they were defended well by the Galaxy. Los Angeles would gain most of the possession from that point as Keane and Villarreal were able to shake free to control the attack. Sean Franklin was also active early in his midfield role. The Galaxy would quickly earn three corners of their own and Omar Gonzalez would open the scoring in the 18th minute off the set piece. Gonzalez was left unmarked on the far post and forcefully sent the ball into the net just past the keeper.
It was all LA as the first half moved along. They would get two more corners prior to the 30th minute. Herediano would get one flurry around the 35th minute as the ball bounced around the box as A.J. DeLaGarza had some issues clearing the area. Still LA was dictating the pace.
Herediano had a small rush right when the second half started, but they were tactically trying to find the equalizer. There was not a sense of urgency. Mike Magee, Villarreal and Keane were still threatening. A great chance in the 67th minute was called offside although the replay showed that two defenders kept Keane on. Herediano still had a chance to move on with an away goal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb1K5WOLrqY
However, just a minute after the offside call Villarreal would extend the lead. Franklin would find him with a smart ball to space. Villarreal was running at a defender and could feel another coming behind so he slowed the pace and held control through a spin move. Once the second defender cleared he would send a dipping shot into the lower far corner. Surely now the Galaxy would move on to face Monterrey in the semifinals.
Robbie Keane would cap off the night as his hard work finally resulted in a goal in the 84th minute. Substitute Michael Stephens settled a ball on the far left side of the 18 yard box and drew two defenders. His pass toward the end line was well placed for Keane to slot it back across goal.
Herediano’s Elias Aguilar would get on the board in the 86th minute but it was too late. Late substitute Jack McBean would score the Galaxy’s fourth goal in stoppage time off a quick restart as Herediano relaxed knowing defeat was near. The Galaxy join the Seattle Sounders as the other Major League Soccer team in the semifinals. The first leg of the semis will be April 2-4.