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Los Angeles Galaxy 0-0 Houston Dynamo: Ricketts comes up big
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Ricketts was unstoppable vs Houston (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
The Los Angeles Galaxy were held to a scoreless draw against a determined Houston Dynamo squad on Sunday. Going into the weekend L.A. was tied with Houston for the top spot in the Western Conference; this result led to a three way tie with cross town rivals Chivas USA.
This night the praise would go to the goalkeepers, with Donovan Ricketts coming up with 4 saves and Pat Onstad having one less. It was an enticing match up and both teams deserved to score that go ahead goal, yet neither could find the net when those chances came up.
Landon Donovan was left on the subs bench due to his hard week of international duty, leaving the door open for Mike Magee to make his mark on the game. Edson Buddle joined him up front while Eddie Lewis wore the captains arm band on the wing. David Beckham and Chris Birchall welcomed Dema Kovalenko back into the midfield after his long battle with an Achilles injury.The defense was led by Omar Gonzalez, with Sean Franklin on his right and Todd Dunivant on his left. Gregg Berhalter rounded out the defense that helped Donovan Ricketts in recording another clean sheet.
Sean Franklin vs. Houston (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
The game started off positively for the Galaxy as Birchall sent in a 30 yard screamer in the 9th minute. Onstad was there to save it and Lewis was unable to put in the rebound.
From there Ricketts was called into action twice in immediate succession. Luis Angel Landin had a wonderful turn around shot stopped by a diving Ricketts in the 25th. Only two minutes later he came up ig again with a kick save to deflect Stuart Holden’s breakaway shot. Ricketts was the most determined player on the field and he kept the Galaxy’s hopes alive throughout the afternoon.
The best chance for the Galaxy came just after the half as great build up play led to an Edson Buddle chance. Buddle received the ball in the box, turned, and placed his shot just an inch too far to the right and it hit the post. The ball still could have dropped in had it not been for Geoff Cameron’s bicycle kick that cleared it off the line.
The Los Angeles offense had their chances in the second half, but it the work of Donovan Ricketts in the 77th that showed why the Galaxy are in the playoffs this year. It was Holden who played the antagonist with a point blank shot that should have turned Houston’s day around. Ricketts instinctively came out and dove aving it heroically to ensure a point away from home.
"It was a tough game. Houston is a real difficult team to play, when they are at home, with the tight field, their physicality, their quality on set pieces, it wasn't easy," Los Angeles coach Bruce Arena told the media after the game.
Los Angeles still has a chance to win the Western Conference with three points this weekend at home vs. San Jose. The Galaxy have not beaten the Quakes this season, and are looking to win big on Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday. Tickets are still available so join them at the Home Depot Center in their last game of the regular season.
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