Eskandarian's winner powers Galaxy over Revs
Newly acquired forward scores in first appearance with LA
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With a chance to make an impression, the newly acquired striker didn't disappoint. Eskandarian scored the game's only goal on a precision left-foot volley early on, leading LA past New England, 1-0, at The Home Depot Center.
Eskandarian -- who joined the Galaxy this week after a trade with Chivas USA -- was a last-minute addition to the starting lineup against the New England Revolution after Gordon suffered a left calf strain during pregame warmups.
The victory was the first for the Galaxy (4-3-9) against the Revolution (4-5-4) in an MLS match in nine tries, dating back to April 3, 2004.
LA heavily controlled the opening minutes of the match, establishing the tone of the match right from the start. It didn't take the Galaxy long to get on the board, either.
In the eighth minute Todd Dunivant sent a high ball into the box from about 30 yards out on the left flank, and Eskandarian timed the long cross perfectly. He barely stayed onside to receive the pass, then volleyed the ball in mid-air from 8 yards away past Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis to give LA the score it needed.
With the lead, the Galaxy continued to keep the pressure on the Revolution, whose two shots on goal were blocked by LA 'keeper Josh Saunders. Saunders got the start in place of Donovan Ricketts, who was called up to Jamaican national team duty for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
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LA attacked aggressively, even to the point that defender Omar Gonzalez had a chance at a rare scoring opportunity in the 30th minute, when Jovan Kirovski sent a cross into the box from the right side. Gonzalez was all alone in space, but his header went directly at Reis.
The Revolution had a scoring opportunity came in the 43rd minute, but midfielder Sainey Nyassi's laser shot from atop the box was nicely blocked by Saunders.
Saunders was tested a fair amount by the Revolution's offense, and when he was he came through in a big way -- like in the 73rd minute when he saved a header by New England forward Michael Videira. Videira's shot was aimed for the far post, and Saunders dove to his right to make a nice block.
It was easily the Revolution's best chance at salvaging a tie in the second half. New England tried frantically to score in the final minutes of the match, but Saunders and the Galaxy would have none of it, and held on for a long-awaited win over the Revolution.
Simon Jude Samano is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
New England Revolution
(4-5-4)
vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
(4-3-9)
July 04, 2009 -- The Home Depot Center
Scoring Summary:
LA --
Alecko Eskandarian 2
(Todd Dunivant 1)
8
New England Revolution -- Matt Reis, Kevin Alston, Darrius Barnes, Amaechi Igwe, Wells Thompson (Nico Colaluca 84), Sainey Nyassi, Jeff Larentowicz, Pat Phelan, Kenny Mansally, Kheli Dube (Edgaras Jankauskas 61), Michael Videira,
Substitutes Not Used: Stephane Assengue, Gabriel Badilla, Brad Knighton, Bobby Shuttleworth, Chris Tierney
Los Angeles Galaxy -- Josh Saunders, A.J. DeLaGarza, Gregg Berhalter, Omar Gonzalez, Todd Dunivant, Jovan Kirovski, Mike Magee (Tony Sanneh 78), Stefani Miglioranzi, Eddie Lewis (Chris Klein 64), Edson Buddle, Alecko Eskandarian (Bryan Jordan 67),
Substitutes Not Used: Leonard Griffin, Kevin Guppy, Dema Kovalenko, Kyle Patterson
| Los Angeles Galaxy | New England Revolution | |||
| total shots: | 14 | (Alecko Eskandarian 3) | 9 |
(Jeff Larentowicz 2, Sainey Nyassi 2) |
| shots on goal: | 6 | (Alecko Eskandarian 2) | 4 | (Sainey Nyassi 2) |
| fouls: | 21 | (3 tied with 3) | 16 |
(Kenny Mansally 3, Wells Thompson 3) |
| offsides: | 1 | (Bryan Jordan 1) | 1 | (Kheli Dube 1) |
| corner kicks: | 11 | (Mike Magee 5) | 9 | (Kenny Mansally 9) |
| saves: | 4 | (Josh Saunders 4) | 5 | (Matt Reis 5) |
Misconduct Summary:
NE -- Kenny Mansally (caution; Reckless Tackle) 50
NE -- Wells Thompson (caution; Tactical Foul) 61
NE -- Pat Phelan (caution; Reckless Tackle) 65
LA -- Gregg Berhalter (caution; Tactical Foul) 72
LA -- Bryan Jordan (caution; Delaying a Restart) 87
NE -- Matt Reis (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 87
referee: Mark Geiger
Referee's Assistants: Adam Garner; Emiliano Monje
4th official: Alejandro Mariscal
time of game: 1:52
attendance: 20,609
weather: Clear -and- 66 degrees
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial
