Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Sporting Kansas City: Analysis, Reaction and More

Omar Bravo
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Frankie Hejduk will go down as the goat that cost Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy a sweep of Sporting Kansas City.

Peter Vermes's club forced a 2-2 draw with the Galaxy off a penalty kick by Omar Bravo in the 92nd minute.

The penalty was the result of a handball by Hejduk that cost Los Angeles a badly-needed three points.

In the 81st minute, a free kick from Graham Zusi was cleared by the Galaxy's Omar Gonzalez, forcing a corner which was also cleared by Gonzalez.

Landon Donovan was given a yellow by Ricardo Salazar in the 84th minute.

Twice Sporting were denied a chance to make this a 2-2 game, adding to the drama of this match.

Davy Arnaud had a legit chance to equalize but was denied at the last second by Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders in the 82nd minute of play.

A would-be goal by Aurelien Collin in the 84th minute was called back for offsides.

In the 87th minute, a free kick from Graham Zusi was headed away by Omar Bravo, who did not have a very good day today with his shot selection in spite of converting the penalty.

Arnaud had another attempt in the 89th minute but was cleared by Gonzalez.

David Beckham also earned a yellow in the 91st minute for dissent.

A full write-up of this match will be posted on Bleacher Report and The View from Victoria Street.

Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy have retaken the lead in the 74th minute thanks to Sean Franklin's brace.

The goal came off a delivery from David Beckham, and the crowd at Livestrong Sporting Park fell silent.

Soon afterwards, a brief scuffle involving Julio Cesar and the Galaxy's Landon Donovan ensued.

Goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen of Sporting was forced to make a point blank save on Donovan. The ensuing corner in the 78th minute from David Beckham was heading well high of the mark by Franklin.

A long cross in the 80th minute found no one in a light blue shirt.

There is some bad blood brewing between the Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City here at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas as we head into crunch time. For Los Angeles, this was a solid response to Julio Cesar's goal, but they need to secure an advantage.

As for Sporting, they have proven they can make it a match against the best in the league. Can they equalize again?

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

It's a new game here at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

In the 65th minute, a corner from Sporting's Graham Zusi was high, deflected and collected by LA netminder Josh Saunders.

Meanwhile, match referee Ricardo Salazar has elected to run a tight ship.

Frankie Hejduk was cautioned in the 66th minute for a rough challenge on Omar Bravo. Zusi would also be carded a minute later for a jersey pull on Adam Cristman.

In the 69th minute, a header from C.J. Sapong from a Chance Myers delivery went high for a goal kick.

A free kick from Zusi in the 71st minute was cleared for a corner, and after a few rebounds, Julio Cesar equalized in the 72nd minute of play.

The goal is Julio Cesar's second of the season.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Well readers, we are an hour into the match, and the Los Angeles Galaxy continue to lead Sporting Kansas City 1-0 at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Early in the second half, the Galaxy were applying pressure.

In the 46th minute of play, Mike Magee's one-time volley went wide right. After a long scramble, Sporting goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen was forced to save a shot from the Galaxy's Chad Barrett in the 48th minute.

Omar Bravo had a decent look in the 49th minute, but his shot went wide left. A minute later, another chance went into the hands of LA netminder Josh Saunders.

In the 52nd minute, Jeferson's shot sailed high and over the top left corner. It also upset one of the restraints that held the net, forcing a stoppage of play.

Landon Donovan would enter the match in the 59th minute for Los Angeles. It will be interesting to see if he makes an impact today off the bench.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

It's halftime at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, and Bruce Arena Los Angeles Galaxy lead Peter Vermes's Sporting Kansas City 1-0.

In the 32nd minute of play, Todd Dunivant was called offsides and could not beat the trap set by the Sporting back line.

In the 35th minute, a chance from Sporting's Chance Myers sailed wide left. Graham Zusi tried his luck in the 37th minute, but missed high and over the bar.

LA's A.J. DeLaGarza held C.J. Sapong up too long, forcing a free kick from Zusi. That would be eventually be cleared, and soon afterwards Roger Espinoza would be whistled for a handball.

In the 43rd minute, a corner for Graham Zusi was deflected and Julio Cesar could not capitalize on the rebound.

A David Beckham delivery in the 44th minute found Omar Gonzalez but he was unable to head it in, forcing Los Angeles go back on the transition.

Los Angeles are doing a good job keeping Omar Bravo at bay and are capitalizing on the absence of Kei Kamara and Teal Bunbury to international duty.

As for Sporting, their inability to finish must be fixed if they are to stand any chance at coming back into this match.

Sean Franklin
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A half an hour has gone, and the Los Angeles Galaxy now lead Sporting Kansas City 1-0 at a howling Livestrong Sporting Park thanks to Sean Franklin in the 25th minute.

In the 18th minute, Roger Espinoza—who was already on a yellow—was warned by match referee Ricardo Salazar for possible simulation.

A chance for Sean Franklin to cross was called back due to the ball already crossing the end line in the 20th minute.

In the 21st minute, a David Beckham corner was cleared away by Sporting goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen. LA's Omar Gonzalez cleared an point-blank attempt from Jeferson in the 22nd minute.

Omar Bravo was offsides on a through ball in the 24th minute.

In the 25th minute, Sean Franklin was able to get on a through ball from Omar Gonzalez. The home fans appealed for an offsides call, but they weren't going to get it.

The goal is Franklin's third of the season.

A chance for C.J. Sapong in the 27th minute was met by LA's defense.

The Galaxy will now need to build on this advantage and apply pressure to the now-vulnerable back line of Sportingh Kansas City.

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It's a slow start for both the Los Angeles Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City at Livestrong Sporting Park, as both teams are scoreless.

Early on in the second minute, Sporting's Roger Espinoza was cautioned for a rough challenge on Juninho.

Afterwards, it was straight-on, ball possession warfare. with Los Angeles pressing.

A chance for C.J. Sapong was forced out by Omar Gonzalez, resulting in the first corner of the match to the home side. The corner was immediately wasted.

In the 10th minute, Sapong tried his luck on a header, but it was cleared. A set piece from Graham Zusi in the 13th minute was also denied.

Zusi had a good look on goal in the 15th minute, but his shot went over the bar.

The pitch at Livestrong is in relatively poor condition due to a number of concerts that took place prior to the match.

The Los Angeles Galaxy need to do a better job with the ball on offense because this is a Sporting outfit that make opponents pay for not finishing. As for Sporting, they are doing a relatively good job with the looks they have and will need to continue applying pressure.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Here are your lineups for the Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Sporting Kansas City

LOS ANGELES GALAXY

Manager: Bruce Arena

Formation: 4-4-2

Colors: Dark blue tops with white accents, dark blue shorts, dark blue socks

12 Josh Saunders

 6 Frankie Hejduk ---- 4 Omar Gonzalez ---- 20 A.J. DeLaGarza ---- 2 Todd Dunivant

5 Sean Franklin ----- 23 David Beckham © ---- 19 Juninho ---- 18 Mike Magee

17 Adam Cristman ---- 11 Chad Barrett

Substitutes:

25 Miguel Lopez

10 Landon Donovan

26 Michael Stephens

27 Bryan Jordan

24 Brian Perk

30 Paolo Cardozo

7 Jovan Kirovski

SPORTING KANSAS CITY

Manager: Peter Vermes

Formation: 6-2-2

Colors: Light blue tops with dark blue accents, light blue shorts, light blue socks

1 Jimmy Nielsen

7 Chance Myers ---- 78 Aurelien Collin ---- 5 Matt Besler ---- 16 Seth Simovic ---- 55 Julio Cesar ---- 15 Roger Espinoza

10 Jeferson ---- 8 Graham Zusi

17 C.J. Sapong ---- 99 Omar Bravo ©

Substitutes:

22 Davy Arnaud

14 Kevin Ellis

18 Eric Kronberg

88 Milos Stojcev

2 Michael Harrington

3 Korede Aiyegbusi

11 Soony Saad

Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

Ricardo Salazar will be the match referee for today’s Major League Soccer contest between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City (kickoff: 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel). Brian Poeschel and Peter Manikowski are the linesmen and Daniel Fitzgerals is the fourth official.

For Sporting Kansas City, defender Daneil Cyrus (left foot fracture), midfielder Luke Sassano (right knee spriad) and midfielder Konrad Warzycha (right knee surgery) are out. Midfielder Criag Rocastle is doubtful after suffering a right knee sprain, while midfielder Birahim Diop (groin strain) is questionable. Midfielder Milos Stojcev (right ankle sprain) is expected to play.

For the Los Angeles Galaxy, defenders Sean Alvarado (right knee surgery), Gregg Berhalter (right foot sprain) and Leonardo (right knee surgery) are out. Questionable are midfielder David Beckham (back spasms), midfielder Jovan Kirovski (left ankle sprain) and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts (left ulna fracture).

Beckham is expected to start for the Galaxy.

Todd Dunivant
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Today’s match with Sporting Kansas City (kickoff:  3 p.m. PT/6 p.m.  ET, Fox Soccer Channel) is just part of a grueling September for the Los Angeles Galaxy, who have four league matches and three CONCACAF Champions League contests to attend to.

Defender Todd Dunivant noted the home side’s improvements since their 1-6-1 start.

“They’re the most confident team in the league right now, from some of their statements,” Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant told MLSSoccer.com’s Luis Bueno. “That’s good. They’re flying high, doing well in their new stadium and feeling good about themselves.”

In May, the Galaxy thrashed Sporting Kansas City 4-1 at the Home Depot Center. However, manager Bruce Arena dismissed the result as ancient history.

“That’s been completely forgotten and that has nothing to do with this game to be honest,” Arena said. “What we need to do is to continue to move forward as a team and play well.”

The match is part of a September stretch which sees road matches against Monarcas Morelia, LD Alajuelense, and the Columbus Crew to go with home ties against Morelia, the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Colorado Rapids.

Jeff Golden/Getty Images

Defensively, Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy will need to be stingy on defense when they take on Peter Vermes’s Sporting Kansas City at Livestrong Sporting Park (kickoff: 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. PT, Fox Soccer Channel).

Teamwise, Los Angeles are the best team in Major League Soccer defensively, with a .77 goals against average. Omar Gonzalez is the backbone of the backline, and with an injury to Gregg Berhalter, Gonzalez has some big shoes to fill.

“I’m taking on a big role right now,” Gonzalez told MLSSoccer.com’s Greg Lalas. “Gregg’s out, so a lot of the organization is going to have to come from me. I’m just looking to keep our line tight.”

Frankie Hejduk is expected to start today alongside Gonzalez, Sean Franklin and Todd Dunivant.

“What better of a back four to go into?” Hejduk said. “We’ve got some incredible players back there. The adjustment for me is pretty simple. These guys all know what they’re doing, they all talk, they’re all organized.”

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Los Angeles Galaxy forward Adam Cristman returns to Kansas City to take on his only club, Sporting Kansas City, today at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET (Fox Soccer Channel). Cristman gets a chance to face former teamaters like Roger Espinoza, Michael Herrington and Chance Myers.

Cristman’s time with Sporting (then known as the Kansas City Wizards) was short, as it was marred by foot injuries, an abdominal muscle tear and even the swine flu.

Still, that has no fazed the 26-year old, who puts it all into perspective.

“It was a crazy year,” Cristman said after training Saturday to LAGalaxy.com’s Larry Morgan. “I was really looking forward to being there. I bought a house while I was there, and I was trying to set up to be there for a few years There was a lot going on.

“It feels good to finally be able to come out and play and not be burdened by a rehab schedule and the frustrations of fighting to get back. Now I can just focus and do my job for the team.”