LA Galaxy flex defensive muscle in Champions League tie

CARSON >> The Galaxy’s offseason defensive signings showed their worth in the team’s first competitive match of 2016 as L.A. played Santos Laguna of Mexico to a scoreless tie in the opening leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals at StubHub Center on Wednesday.

Defenders Ashely Cole and Jelle Van Damme and defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong each eaed the start in their Galaxy debuts and went the full 90 minutes. Dan Keedy, who was also acquired in the offseason, started in goal and finished with three saves.

The Galaxy started with a golden opportunity with a coer off the opening kick. Van Damme headed Giovani dos Santos’ curving kick on goal, but Santos goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin made a diving save to deny the Belgian defender’s effort.

L.A. had several good looks at goal in the first half, including a superb chip shot from Cole that just barely floated over the crossbar, but failed to coect each time.

Santos forced the Galaxy into a more defensive posture in the second half. Liga MX had more ball possession time to start the second half and nearly pulled ahead in the 67th minute off a coer kick, but dos Santos cleared it off the line at the near post.

The Galaxy started to gather some momentum in the final 20 minutes as they attacked down the left side through Sebastian Lletget, who subbed in the 67th minute for Emmanuel Boateng. L.A. eaed coer kicks and drew fouls, but was denied each time.

A.J. DeLaGarza conceded a foul in the 78th minute and the ensuing Santos free kick crossed in front of the goal but went barely wide.

Two minutes later, Robbie Rodgers fed dos Santos a pretty backheel pass in the box, but dos Santos couldn’t finish the shot from a tough angle near the end line.

L.A. outshot Santos, 13-10, but got only one shot on goal in the second half.

The wier of the two-legged quarterfinal series will be decided on March 1 at Estadio Corona in Mexico at 7 p.m.

Advertisement

- - , .