ALL ACCESS SOCCER MATCH OF THE WEEK
Bruce Arena’s second place LA GALAXY came into Philadelphia 2 points behind Western Conference leading COLORADO RAPIDS. PHILADELPHIA, who is desperately trying to put together a solid season for their loyal fan base who has endured a lackluster existence in their brief MLS tenure to date, came out swinging. VINCENT NOGUIERA got things going in the 4th minute of play, finding the back of the net unassisted on a loose ball in the box. Eleven minutes later, Robbie Rogers went high and scored to even up the match for the LA GALAXY. Both teams struggled to get anything going from there on. LA GALAXY’S Baggio Husidic hit a promising shot in the 43rd minute of the first half but it sailed high over PHILADELPHIA’S keeper Andre Blake. PHILADELPHIA’S Chris Pontius jus missed connecting on a head ball goal as time ended he first half.
In the second half, Steven Gerrard got the scoring started when he slotted a perfect pass to the left of the box and Mike Magee scored to give the GALAXY the 2-1 lead in the 47′ minute. It looked like Chris Pontius pulled the UNION squad even but an offsides call, which was close but correct, waved the goal off and the GALAXY remained up 2-1. Minutes later, the rookie KEEGAN ROSENBERRY picked a great time to score his first MLS goal to even the score 2-2 for the UNION. In the 69th minute, the UNION made their first substitution, pulling veteran fan favorite Sebastian Le Toux and inserting Ilsinho into the match. Just after in the 70th minute, Robbie Keane earned the first yellow of the match. Ilsinho just missed a goal in the 73rd minute for the UNION. Gerrard was then substituted for the GALAXY’S first sub of the match also in the 73rd minute. In the 76th minute, the GALAXY continued to get fresh legs in the match when Daniel Steres was inserted in place of the departing Jelle Van Damme. Fabinho then pulled a left that just missed the mark for the UNION. The UNION continue to create opportunities as Pontius missed just high in the 80th minute. GALAXY keeper was issued a yellow in the82nd minute for time wasting. In the 86th minute, the Union made a substitution, removing Chris Pontius and inserting Fabian Herbers. Auburg then came on for Tranquillo Bernetta. Mike Magee was then substituted out for the Galaxy’s last substitution. Four minutes of stoppage time was added but neither team failed to score and the contest ended in a 2-2 tie.
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