An 11th-minute goal from Kleber Boas turned out to be the difference as CD Necaxa of Mexico defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday evening at The Home Depot Center. The Galaxy failed to generate much of an attack throughout the contest in a game that featured very few starters for the Green-and-Gold.
Both Necaxa and the Galaxy came out to start the game with decidedly different approaches. Necaxa fielded a team that was comprised mainly of players expected to be regular starters once the Mexican Primera Division begins. Los Angeles on the other hand started a team made up mainly of reserves, and even started two players currently on trial.
The difference in philosophy showed itself on the scoreboard in the 11th minute. Mario Perez strode down the left side of the field, running right past the Galaxy defense. Bearing down on Steve Cronin, Perez shot from a sharp angle, forcing a save from Galaxy 'keeper Steve Cronin. But the rebound bounced right to Kleber Boas, who scissored home a shot into the back of the Galaxy net.
The Galaxy had the next chance. John Wolyniec fed a through pass to Alan Gordon, who chased down the ball at the end line, turned, and sent a cross towards the penalty spot. Amidst a pair of defenders Wolyniec managed to get a volley attempt off, but his shot was well wide of the target.
Necaxa began to dominate the scoring chances. In the 34th minute Necaxa earned a free kick from about 25 yards out. Salvador Cabrera stepped up to the ball, but sent his shot well over the crossbar.
Two minutes later, a mistake by Ugo Ihemelu nearly cost the Galaxy dearly. The second-year defender tried to head a ball back to Cronin, but didn't get enough power on his pass allowing Nicolas Olivera to run onto the ball. In alone on Cronin, Olivera shot low, but right into the feet of Cronin. Cronin made the save and left no rebound to keep his side within a goal.
In the 41st minute a series of backheel passes in the right corner eventually led to a cross by Victor Gutierrez for Necaxa. Forward Frankie Oviedo made a darting run to the penalty spot, but his glancing header was nowhere near the goal.
The Galaxy's last good chance of the half came right before the halftime whistle. Evans Wise, the former Tampa Bay Mutiny winger on trial with the Galaxy, used a good bit of skill in the corner to get around the Necaxa defense. Wise set up his left foot and drove a ball into the penalty area, but Ivan Vazquez snagged the ball out of the air seconds before the halftime whistle.
As the second half started Frank Yallop made a sub bringing on Kennedy Owusu-Ansah, who made an immediate impact. Playing right back, the Canadian youth international joined the attack and sent a cross into the area. Vazquez misplayed the cross though, and Owusu-Ansah's cross sailed just wide of the back post. In the 49th minute Wise made a penetrating run forward and laid a ball back from the endline to Wolyniec, but he didn't get a good touch on the ball and missed wide of an open net.
The friendly nature of the game really showed itself as Necaxa started to empty its bench to give players a look heading into the regular season. Both offenses really faltered throughout the second half as the lack of familiarity between teammates on both sides really started to show. The final pass and the finishing were lacking on both sides as the game began to get bogged down in the middle of the park.
The Galaxy offense finally showed signs of life in the 76th minute. Gordon found Wise streaking down the flank and he took a couple of touches into the box and shot from a sharp angle, but Alexandro Alvarez, who came on in the second half, made an easy save to preserve the shutout.
The last chance to pull even came when Cobi Jones earned the Galaxy a free kick deep in the Necaxa final third. Jones sent a cross to the top edge of the 18-yard box and the 6-foot-3 Gordon rose up to win a header, but had to watch his effort float over the crossbar.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
