Rosenberry's goal lifts Union into tie with Galaxy
This one was much different from the Union's most recent matches against their nemesis, the Los Angeles Galaxy. Playing aggressively for much of the game, the Union overcame a 2-1 second-half deficit to earn a 2-2 Major League Soccer draw Wednesday night before 17,985 at Talen Energy Stadium.
This one was much different from the Union's most recent matches against their nemesis, the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Playing aggressively for much of the game, the Union overcame a 2-1 second-half deficit to earn a 2-2 Major League Soccer draw Wednesday night before 17,985 at Talen Energy Stadium.
At 4-3-2 for 14 points, the Union trail first-place Montreal by a point in the Eastern Conference heading into their road game Saturday against the Impact.
Los Angeles (5-1-4) extended its unbeaten streak to eight games. The Union are 1-6-2 all-time against the Galaxy but looked nothing like the team that was outscored, 13-3, in losing the last three meetings between the two.
In the 63rd minute, the Union got the equalizer on defender Keegan Rosenberry's first MLS goal.
Galaxy keeper Dan Kennedy made a save on a Chris Pontius header off a Tranquillo Barnetta corner. Sebastien Le Toux kicked the rebound right at Kennedy, and Rosenberry tapped it in.
"It was thrilling," Rosenberry said. ". . . I was in the right place at the right time."
Pointus just missed scoring in the 69th minute after beating Robbie Rogers and shooting wide of the far post from seven yards out at an angle.
The Union were disappointed not to earn three points, but they realized they had given an impressive effort.
"We knew we could do that and I don't think anybody is surprised," Pontius said. "The special thing about this team is we came in feeling not satisfied because it is points dropped at home, but overall the way we played, if we play like that in most games we will win."
The Union's Vincent Nogueira used great second effort to score the game's first goal in the fourth minute. Fabinho sent the ball in the box, where forward C.J. Sapong tapped it back to Nogueira.
The Union midfielder had his shot blocked, fought to get the rebound, and scored his first of the season from close range.
The Galaxy tied the score in the 15th minute on a nice buildup goal starting with a long through-pass from Robbie Keane to Giovani dos Santos. The Mexican standout cut the ball inside, lost Fabinho, and then made a great drop pass to a trailing Rogers, who scored from seven yards out.
During first-half stoppage time, Pontius was wide open near the goal but sent a header wide.
The Galaxy took a 2-1 lead in the 47th minute, when Mike Magee one-timed a Steven Gerrard pass from just inside the 18-yard line.
A goal by Pontius was nullified in the 60th minute, when Barnetta was called offside.
The Union kept applying pressure and it paid off.
Discovery list leaked
The Union's discovery list was partially released on Twitter. "It was our discovery list of a month ago," a Union spokesman said. "The list is constantly evolving."
A discovery player is one who is not under contract to MLS. A club may have up to seven unsigned players on its discovery list and may remove or add players at any time.
One person on the Union's list is John Terry, the captain of Chelsea in the English Premier League. According to various reports he is being sought by the New York Red Bulls.
A Union source also said that the team was not expected to make a move for 19-year-old Colombian forward Mateo Casierra. The MLS primary transfer window closes at noon Thursday and the secondary window won't open until July 4.
@sjnard