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D.C. United loses to Los Angeles Galaxy, 4-1, in season opener | D.C. United loses to Los Angeles Galaxy, 4-1, in season opener |
(35 minutes later) | |
CARSON, Calif. — D.C. United’s regular season opener Sunday began with a torrent of energy, elegant interaction and, after five minutes, a goal by newcomer Lamar Neagle. | |
But then the second half began. | But then the second half began. |
And a match that had flowed United’s way took an abrupt and awful turn, resulting in a 4-1 defeat to the Los Angeles Galaxy before 25,667 at StubHub Center. | And a match that had flowed United’s way took an abrupt and awful turn, resulting in a 4-1 defeat to the Los Angeles Galaxy before 25,667 at StubHub Center. |
In his return to the Galaxy, 2013 MLS MVP Mike Magee sparked a second-half uprising by posting two goals and an assist and drawing a penalty kick as Los Angeles extended its regular season unbeaten streak against United at home to nine matches over 11 years. | In his return to the Galaxy, 2013 MLS MVP Mike Magee sparked a second-half uprising by posting two goals and an assist and drawing a penalty kick as Los Angeles extended its regular season unbeaten streak against United at home to nine matches over 11 years. |
“We knew it was going to be harder in the second half,” attacker Chris Rolfe said, “but we didn’t expect that.” | |
United’s quality first half translated into only one goal, and after intermission, it was forced to do a lot of defending and conceded two goals on set pieces. | |
“We were in a little bit of disarray,” Coach Ben Olsen said. “They came out with a lot of energy, which is expected after the first half down at home. They made an adjustment [Magee], and a good one. We were under it.” | |
[A few good minutes with L.A. Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena] | |
The Galaxy lineup included some of the biggest names in MLS. The contrast in star power between the teams was striking but nothing new to Olsen, who has squeezed everything he could from a mix of experiences to reach the playoffs the past two years. | The Galaxy lineup included some of the biggest names in MLS. The contrast in star power between the teams was striking but nothing new to Olsen, who has squeezed everything he could from a mix of experiences to reach the playoffs the past two years. |
United entered this campaign with realistic hopes of remaining in the top half of the Eastern Conference. With several new pieces and a difficult opening assignment, however, expectations were lightened. It is, after all, a 34-game campaign running through October. | United entered this campaign with realistic hopes of remaining in the top half of the Eastern Conference. With several new pieces and a difficult opening assignment, however, expectations were lightened. It is, after all, a 34-game campaign running through October. |
Olsen provided one surprise in the starting lineup: Fabian Espindola wasn’t in it. Instead, Neagle made his first appearance after missing both CONCACAF Champions League matches because he had represented Seattle in the tournament before being traded to United. | |
Espindola entered at the start of the second half for Patrick Nyarko, who left with a possible concussion. | |
The start, though, was all Olsen could have dreamed. Neagle pressured Steven Gerrard, who was too cute in trying to protect the ball in a dangerous spot. Rolfe pounced. Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza intervened, but the ball caromed to Neagle in stride. | The start, though, was all Olsen could have dreamed. Neagle pressured Steven Gerrard, who was too cute in trying to protect the ball in a dangerous spot. Rolfe pounced. Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza intervened, but the ball caromed to Neagle in stride. |
With the Galaxy pulled out of shape, Neagle ran into space and placed a 23-yard shot into the lower right corner. | With the Galaxy pulled out of shape, Neagle ran into space and placed a 23-yard shot into the lower right corner. |
“We came out right on top of them,” Neagle said. “We were able to hit them early. The first half went as planned.” | |
United continued to expose the Galaxy and should have added to the lead before intermission. Nick DeLeon, Luciano Acosta, Rolfe and Neagle were lively and confident on the ball, far more cohesive than the rag-tag Galaxy. Marcelo Sarvas, who won two MLS Cup titles with Los Angeles, was the linchpin, keeping United organized and composed. | |
The Galaxy’s problems deepened in the 20th minute when goalkeeper Dan Kennedy suffered a leg injury. Brian Rowe (14 career starts) entered. | |
[United likes its pieces. Now it must complete the puzzle.] | |
United received a scare in the 30th minute when defender Steve Birnbaum smashed his forehead against the back of Daniel Steres’s head contending Taylor Kemp’s corner kick. Players immediately waved for medical assistance. Just a few minutes earlier, Birnbaum had required treatment at the other end. | |
After a five-minute delay, he left the field with assistance, and later returned with a bandage. After the game, he was scheduled to receive several stitches. | |
The Galaxy was okay in the buildup but failed to pierce United’s resistance in the penalty area, in part because of poor service. Goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra was on his toes but not tested. | |
United was the better team through one half, but with a tight margin and the Galaxy’s menace, the outcome was far from clear. | United was the better team through one half, but with a tight margin and the Galaxy’s menace, the outcome was far from clear. |
“We didn’t put them away when he needed to,” Kemp said. “They began gaining momentum and we were under the gun.” | |
With Magee’s influence, the match turned. Robbie Keane’s header hit the crossbar. United escaped a second flurry, but on the ensuing corner kick, Steres, in his MLS debut, found a seam and headed in Magee’s service from four yards. | |
Three minutes later, DeLeon worked a combination with Neagle and hit the left post. | |
The Galaxy went ahead in the 64th, when the unmarked Magee settled Sebastian Lleget’s cross and gently chipped an angled shot over Dykstra. | |
“It was clever. It’s a good goal,” Dykstra said. “On our part, we’ve got to make sure we get guys marked up in the box.” | |
Magee missed wide on a breakaway, but well after releasing the shot, Dykstra made contact. Referee Kevin Stott awarded a penalty kick. Keane converted in the 83rd minute. Magee added his second goal four minutes later with a glancing header on Gerrard’s free kick. | |
“We are a work in progress, but there is a lot of good to this group,” Olsen said. “The spirit is right, and we’ll respond in the right way. We’ll take the good, we’ll fix some of the bad. It’s a long year.” | |
United notes: Markus Halsti, the Finnish national team player, is the odd man out in the midfield corps at the moment. He did not start either Champions League match and did not travel with the team to Los Angeles. The club said he is not injured. |
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