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CARSON, Calif. — The Los Angeles Galaxy scored four goals in the second 45 minutes that went unanswered from Real Salt Lake, sending RSL home from the StubHub Center with a 4-2 loss.
“An extremely dangerous team on the break,” RSL head coach Jason Kreis said of the Galaxy in the TV post-game interview. “(L.A.) created chances against us in the first half, we just weren’t sharp enough on the ball. Another night where I feel like our possession has to be better, more mindful of where we’re going to lose it and when we lost it, they were extremely dangerous in the first half and in the second half, and they punished us in the second half a few times.”
RSL was the first to hit the back of the net off a 53rd-minute goal from forward Joao Plata, assisted by midfielder Ned Grabavoy and defender Nat Borchers, but the Galaxy answered back with four straight goals that started just three minutes later.
“I think they started pushing since they were down, and unfortunately we weren’t able to get ahold of the ball, and they’ve got some dangerous guys up top and they punished with their chances,” RSL defender Chris Wingert said in the TV post-game interview.
L.A. forward Robbie Keane started the goals off for the Galaxy in the 56th minute and went on to net a hat trick with goals in the 67th and 86th minute, securing the L.A. side the victory.
“(Keane) and Landon Donovan are an extremely dangerous strike partnership,” said Kreis. “The way that they both move all the time, they’re never standing still, they’re drifting off the back shoulders of defenders, they’re checking into the hole, and it’s not always the same person, and I think it creates a really dangerous tandem there.”
L.A. defender Omar Gonzalez put the other goal in the back of the net for the L.A. side in the 75th minute.
Despite the loss, RSL still sits atop the MLS Western Conference table with 41 points and a cushion of two points in front of the current second-place slot, the Colorado Rapids. The loss moved the Salt Lake club to 12-8-5 on the season.
The Salt Lake club will remain on the road and travel to face Western Conference opponent the Portland Timbers Wednesday, Aug. 21.
“They’re going to be a handful,” said Wingert. “Away on the road again in another really tough challenge for us, and we’re going to have to get better, we’re going to have to play better than tonight. Sometimes it’s good to get right back out there so this bad taste doesn’t stay in your mouth too long, and hopefully we’ll have a better performance in a few days.”
The Salt Lake club will be without captain Kyle Beckerman Wednesday night due to a 57th minute yellow card against the Galaxy after being on yellow card accumulation warning.
However, RSL midfielder Yordany Alvarez, Beckerman’s usual backup, will be available for Kreis following his three-match suspension from the MLS disciplinary committee being complete with Saturday's match.
“As we said, we’re looking for an opportunity to give Kyle a bit of a rest, and maybe he decided he’d take that opportunity for himself,” said Kreis.
Following Wednesday’s match in Portland, RSL will return to its home pitch inside Rio Tinto Stadium Saturday, Aug. 24, to host MLS Eastern Conference opponent the Columbus Crew for the first and only meeting during the regular season between the two sides. Kira Terry is a sports writer covering Real Salt Lake for KSL.com. Follow her on Twitter, @kiraterry.
