HOUSTON – The LA Galaxy got the job done.
That was as descriptive as Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena was willing to get when discussing his team’s performance in Sunday’s 1-0 victory Houston Dynamo, which came in a sweltering heat that required two water breaks.
“There’s not much more to say about that,” said Arena on the game. “Not an easy day with the conditions and everything else. It’s certainly challenging for both teams to come out on top at this time of the season where the points are important.”
The Galaxy, despite having more shots on target, had trouble breaking down the Dynamo defense. It’s the kind of game that Arena notes his side hasn’t won many of this season.
“That’s why we have 15 draws on our record,” said Arena. “We killed ourselves at times this year not being able to get a result on days like these.”
On a day like today, the Galaxy were saved by Alan Gordon, who pounced on rebound after Dynamo keeper Joe Willis saved Mike Magee’s shot.
The three points are more than a win for the Galaxy. They also secured the third seed in the Western Conference, something that pleases Arena heading into the last match of the season, a home game against FC Dallas.
“Playing 1003376930" tabindex="0">Sunday at home and then playing 1003376931" tabindex="0">Wednesday or Thursday at home, certainly makes it a little easier for us,” said Arena on clinching a playoff spot.
Last season, the Galaxy started the playoffs on the road and were eliminated by the Seattle Sounders. Opening this year’s playoffs at home, Arena hopes it can position the Galaxy to “move ourselves into the conference semifinals.”
The Galaxy were without Robbie Keane and opted to start Gordon up top with Giovani dos Santos playing underneath as the playmaker. Arena wouldn’t give a timetable on Keane’s return but said the team will monitor him this week to gauge his availability for the last game of the season.
With Keane’s health up in the air, could the Galaxy start the playoffs with Gordon and dos Santos up top?
“Sure, no question about that,” said Arena. “That’s what it’ll be right now given the situation.”
