Chris Pontius was a major factor in the Galaxy’s 3-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
By Ivan Yeo
Timing is everything, and the LA Galaxy certainly showed that on Saturday night.
The Galaxy came alive in the second half of its matchup against Real Salt Lake. Led by Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s brace and a goal from Ola Kamara lifted the Galaxy to 3-0 win at StubHub Center.
“Today was what we wanted,” Ibrahimovic said. “This is what we want everyday, to win 3-0. It’s was important to keep the zero also for the confidence on the defense side and for the whole team.”
It wasn’t just the goal scorers that carried the night for the Galaxy. Chris Pontius also played a big role for the Galaxy, as he assisted two of the goals and his play in the midfield proved crucial in enabling the Galaxy to pick up three points.
“He has so much experience, he has been in the league a long time, he brings us something different,” Galaxy captain Ashley Cole said. “He wins headers from goal kicks, can put in a good cross, he fights, he battles and he’s got quality as well. He is always there, always working hard for the team and that’s what we need. Eleven players like that.”
Scoreless after 61 minutes, it was Ibrahimovic that got the Galaxy going. A throw-in by Chris Pontius was headed down and deflected out, but went back to Pontius, who was already inside the 18-yard box. Pontius crossed a ball into the six-yard box, Nick Rimando got his right fist on the ball, but not only was it not enough to clear the ball out, the ball went to Ibrahimovic, who right away headed a ball into an open net to give LA the lead. Ibrahimovic’s doubled the Galaxy lead five minutes later with a goal that was a little more easier to come by, as Servando Carrasco sent a long ball inside the penalty area and Ibrahimovic simply leaped over RSL center back Justen Glad to head the ball past Rimando far post, and Ibrahimovc just threw his hands up in the air in celebration.
“Today, we were more direct, we were more in our game. We were doing things that we were better at and we do it much better like that,” Ibrahimovic said.
Kamara sealed the three points for the Galaxy in the 76th minute. A goal kick by David Bingham glanced off the head of Bradford Jamieson IV, Pontius chased down the ball, played a cross to Kamara, who after a brief touch, fired off his left foot and it beat Rimando far post.
“I am feeling good and it was important after maybe a big miss for Norway and then I missed the first one in this game, so to actually get that goal it was important for me,” Kamara said.
Both teams now look forward to a long World Cup break, with both teams not playing an MLS match until June 30. The Galaxy will continue its US Open Cup run, as they travel to Portland to face the Timbers on Friday June 15.
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