Photo courtesy of the LA Galaxy.
Marky Delgado’s strike was all the LA Galaxy needed to defeat Austin FC on Sunday evening.
Year two has been a far different story for Austin FC.
After struggling in its inaugural season last year, things have been much different for the team representing the capital of Texas. Heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Austin was in second place in the Western Conference, and its 20 points was just three points shy of first place LAFC.
The Galaxy however are historically accustomed to being being at or near the top of the table for long stretches of a regular season. In fact, the Galaxy were in third place going into Sunday’s match, and after 90 minutes were up at Q2 Stadium, the Galaxy had provided Austin with somewhat of a reality check. Marky Delgado’s early strike was all the Galaxy needed, and they closed the gap on Austin in the conference following the 1-0 decision.
“It came down to a game of determination, of grit, of just work and a little bit of running,” Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said “That’s not always how we want the game to look, but when you’re on the road, up 1-0, it’s warm and against a good team, sometimes that’s what you’ve got to do.
The Galaxy got the lead six minutes into the match due in large part to some fortunate circumstances. Austin’s Ethan Finlay won a battle with Douglas Costa on the left side outside the Austin penalty area. Finlay dispossessed Costa, then looked to clear the ball. Finlay’s clearance however went to the foot of Delgado, who upon obtaining possession immediately fired a right-footed volley from about 35 yards out that got past keeper Andrew Tarbell, bounced off the far post and crossed the goal line.
“I checked my shoulder, I saw some space and nobody was closing me down,” Delgado said of his goal. “I saw the opportunity and I took it and luckily it went in. It was a good feeling.”
Austin didn’t have much of a response the remainder of the half, in fact, the Galaxy had two chances in first half stoppage time to widen is lead towards the end of the half. The first chance came when Rayan Raveloson fired a volley from nearly the same distance as Delgado, but Tarbell extended himself to parry the ball over the end line. The second chance however was perhaps the Galaxy’s best chance, as Delgado sprung Kevin Cabral down the right side of the field, Cabral touched into the penalty area, crossed into the six-yard box and Tarbell out of position, Chicharito Hernandez had a open net. Chicharito however skied the point-blank chance into the stands.
Austin did manage to start creating chances in the second half. The first chance came just a minute into the half, as Daniel Pereira headed a ball to John Gallagher, who then played a cross into the penalty area, the cross deflected off Cabral, but bounced to the feet of Maxi Urruti, who brought the ball down, then fired a one-timer at goal, but keeper Jonathan Bond calmly made the save. Then in the 59th minute, Sebastian Driuzzi shot a 33-yard volley that was stopped by Bond, and while he spilled the ball back into play, Derrick Williams was able to beat Urruti to the ball and thus clear out of the box. Austin’s last chance to steal points from the Galaxy came in the 89th minute, as Driussi sent a free kick around the Galaxy wall, only to have the ball hit off the near post.
“Over the course of 90 minutes, I would take our chances over their chances all day, even if they had a little more possession, and a little more possession in our half versus their half,” Vanney said.
The Galaxy will resume US Open Cup play on Wednesday, as they face California United Strikers, then they will mess with Texas again next weekend, this time at the friendly confines of Dignity Health Sports Park, as they host FC Dallas on Saturday night.
