Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Toronto FC: Live Blog

Mar 30, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan (10) carries against Toronto FC midfielder Jeremy Hall (25) at BMO Field. Toronto and LA tied 2-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy and Greg Vanney’s Toronto FC clash in an important meeting in Major League Soccer. Los Angeles are currently 16-5-9 (57 points) and can at least keep pace with the league-leading Seattle Sounders with a victory tonight. As for Toronto FC (11-11-7, 40 points), they need a win to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot and can’t lose this six-pointer.

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• The Return of Douglas Costa to Juventus: A Risky Bet or a Shot at Redemption?

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE, TSN and RDS2. The Live Blog starts at 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET. Keep it right here on the MLS Multiplex for continuing coverage of the 2014 Major League Soccer season.

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T-120: Welcome to the Live Blog between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Toronto FC. I am Jo-Ryan Salazar, co-editor of the MLS Multiplex alongside Sean Maslin. Glad to have you on board.

Let’s start this live blog by giving you a preview from MLSSoccer.com.

REFEREE: Baldomero Toledo. SAR (bench): Fabio Tovar; JAR (opposite): Felisha Mariscal; 4th: Daniel Radford
MLS Career: 182 games; FC/gm: 25.1; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 63; pens: 68

SUSPENDED: TOR: Jackson (through Oct. 5)
WARNINGS:
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: LA: Omar Gonzalez, Marcelo Sarvas … TOR: Michael Bradley, Justin Morrow
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: LA: Baggio Husidic, A.J. DeLaGarza, Alan Gordon, Landon Donovan, Juninho … TOR: Steven Caldwell, Jackson, Dominic Oduro, Warren Creavalle, Collen Warner, Gilberto
DISABLED LIST: none
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none

HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (12 meetings): Galaxy 4 wins, 16 goals … Toronto FC 2 wins, 13 goals … Ties 6
AT LA (6 meetings): Galaxy 3 wins, 12 goals … Toronto FC 1 win, 8 goals … Ties 2

LAST YEAR (MLS):
3/30: TOR 2, LA 2 (Earnshaw 29; Osorio 78 – Magee 16; Villarreal 92+)

• This is the only league meeting between the teams this season.
• Toronto FC have not defeated the LA Galaxy in league play since 2008, when they swept the season series. The Galaxy have won three of the eight meetings since, with five draws, including a 2-2 result last March 30 at BMO Field.
• Toronto FC have not won in Carson vs. the Galaxy in league play since 2008, the Galaxy having won two of the four meetings there since (with two draws). But TFC did defeat LA in 2012 in a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal second-leg at StubHub Center.
• Coaches record: Bruce Arena vs. TOR: P11 W5 L1 D5 … Greg Vanney vs. LA: first game

The LA Galaxy extended their undefeated streak to nine games in impressive fashion, rolling to a 4-0 win against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday afternoon at StubHub Center. The Galaxy sit in a tie for first place in the Western Conference and the MLS overall table with 57 points from 30 games.

Toronto FC won their second consecutive game in dramatic fashion, coming back for a late 3-2 win against the Portland Timbers on Saturday afternoon at BMO Field. TFC sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, with 40 points from 29 matches.

T-90: Earlier this week, the Philadelphia Union and Chicago Fire drew 1-1, while D.C. United punched their ticket to the MLS Cup Playoffs after a scoreless draw with Sporting Kansas City. Earlier today, the New York Red Bulls shut out the Houston Dynamo 1-0. Live scores right now: Vancouver Whitecaps 2, FC Dallas 0…New England Revolution 1, Columbus Crew 1.

T-86: “[Landon Donovan]’s done so much for the national team, for the Galaxy and for MLS,” midfielder Michael Bradley told torontofc.ca’s Devang Desai. “I think we’re all seeing, even now, what a good player he is and how he can make such a difference in any team he’s on.”

T-83:

T-82: The challenge for Toronto FC is to not be on the short end of history in the making. However, Toronto aren’t exactly the best team in the not-so-best Eastern Conference, and it will take a Herculean effort from Michael Bradley and Co. to prevent that from happening.

T-81: Wait a minute, where did the “stronger together” sign go?

T-78: A final score from BC Place Stadium: Vancouver Whitecaps 2, FC Dallas. Late in the second half, the New England Revolution lead the Columbus Crew 2-1.

T-76:

T-75: I don’t think there will be a sellout, but there should be at least 21,000 in attendance tonight.

T-73:

T-72:

T-70: Kicking off at 8 p.m. PT/11 p.m. ET tonight is San Jose Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers. There won’t be a lot to play for in the case of San Jose, but for Portland, a victory keeps them alive for a spot in the postseason. Of course, a victory for Portland means that San Jose are out.

T-68: We have some Sunday matches that have massive playoff implications: Colorado Rapids vs. Seattle Sounders (LA will be barracking for a Rapids win here), Chicago Fire vs. Montreal Impact and Chivas USA vs. Real Salt Lake.

T-62: “It wasn’t like a bunch of these games could have gone either way,” Galaxy manager Bruce Arena said of the club’s hotstreak to LAGalaxy.com’s Larry Morgan. “I think we’ve been dominant in some ways. That’s been impressive.

“Realistically we know that’s not going to happen as we close out the season but that’s all good. We’ve had a real convincing period of time; we’ve been a pretty convincing team. I remember the losses (Columbus and Kansas City on July 19). We learned from those, which is good.

“We’ve experienced a lot. It doesn’t mean a whole lot once Nov. 1 or so comes around.”

T-60: Officially an hour to kickoff. Want to give your thoughts on the game? Sound off on the comments below. Remember, you need to have a Disqus account to get in the discussion.

T-57:

T-55: Here’s your odds for this contest courtesy of our good friends from Oddschecker.com.

Los Angeles Galaxy 4/11
Draw 9/2
Toronto FC 8

T-54:

T-53: These were the playoff scenarios heading into this weekend’s set of matches.

Real Salt Lake will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF

• Real Salt Lake win vs Chivas USA on Sunday

OR

• Vancouver Whitecaps FC lose vs. FC Dallas on Saturday

OR

• Portland Timbers lose or tie vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday

FC Dallas will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF

• FC Dallas win vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday

OR

• Portland Timbers lose vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday

OR

• FC Dallas tie vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday

AND

• Portland Timbers tie vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday

Colorado Rapids will be eliminated from playoff contention IF

• Colorado Rapids lose vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday

AND

• Vancouver Whitecaps FC win vs. FC Dallas on Saturday OR
• Portland Timbers win vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday

OR

• Colorado Rapids tie vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday

AND

• Vancouver Whitecaps FC win vs. FC Dallas on Saturday

San Jose Earthquakes will be eliminated from playoff contention IF

• San Jose Earthquakes lose vs. Portland Timbers on Saturday

OR

• San Jose Earthquakes tie vs. Portland Timbers on Saturday

AND

• Vancouver Whitecaps FC win vs. FC Dallas on Saturday

Chicago Fire will be eliminated from playoff contention IF

• Chicago Fire lose vs. Montreal Impact on Sunday

OR

• Chicago Fire tie vs. Montreal Impact on Sunday

AND

• New York Red Bulls win vs. Houston Dynamo on Saturday OR
• Toronto FC win vs. LA Galaxy on Saturday

OR

• Columbus Crew win or tie vs. New England Revolution on Saturday AND
• New York Red Bulls win or tie vs. Houston Dynamo on Saturday

Seattle Sounders FC have clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs
LA Galaxy have clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs
D.C. United have clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs
Montréal Impact have been eliminated from playoff contention
Chivas USA have been eliminated from playoff contention

T-40:

T-38: Lineups, bench and officials are on their way.

T-37:

T-43: Final score from Gillette Stadium: New England Revolution 2, Columbus Crew 1.

T-41:

T-40: Lineups, bench, etc.

Lineup

Bench

Officials

T-38: If Los Angeles outpass Michael Bradley and they establish the pace and passing, they will have more than a puncher’s chance to come away with the win. Not rocket science.

T-36: Meanwhile, in another part of the Hub, Stanley was chatting with the four MLS Cup Trophies over the Angels’ and Dodgers’ postseason issues.

T-35: Both teams are on the pitch for warmups.

T-33: Can Jermain Defoe make an impact off the bench in the manner of Alan Gordon, who is also on the bench tonight?

T-30: A half hour to go. Toronto have more to gain from winning this match, meaning they also have more to lose from this match. They must win to keep pace with New York. A loss could be devastating to their playoff chances.

T-25:

T-15: As we hit 15 minutes to go, let’s take one final look at the odds from oddschecker:

Los Angeles Galaxy 4/11
Draw 22/5
Toronto FC 15/2

T-12: Both teams conclude warmups.

T-10:

T-8: Stanley makes his final curtain call before hitting the road for his next stop.

T-6:

T-0: Both teams enter the pitch to the strains of the MLS Anthem by Audiobrain.

Two national anthems tonight: O Canada and the Star-Spangled Banner.  Malia Sivetz sings.

FIRST HALF START: 7:39 P.M. PT/10:39 P.M. ET

1′ – Well, history is due to be in the making tonight. But given Toronto FC’s ability to win at StubHub Center against the Galaxy, the playoff-hungry Reds may have other plans. The first half begins.

2′ – Jaime Penedo is going to need to come up big tonight. Dominic Oduro is met by Omar Gonzalez.

Now here is Michael Bradley. Watch for his playmaking ability. Goal kick, Penedo. The Galaxy are playing a little bit tense and need to settle.

3′ – A through ball from Robbie Keane to Gyasi Zardes is picked off.

4′ – This time it’s Zardes to have a bad through ball for Keane. Some crossed wires early at the Hub. Leonardo is forced to sweep after Bradley sees an opening.

5′ – Omar plays it forward. Too long for Zardes, and Toronto FC goalkeeper Joe Bendik resets for the visitors.

6′ – Luke Moore, a former Chivas USA product, with the first shot of the match.

7′ – Gonzalez. Dan Gargan should have done better there. That is a bad touch from Zardes. I don’t think he knew where he was on the field.

8′ – Jonathan Osorio has had a history of scoring on the Galaxy, and he will look to keep his form going. Dominic Oduro is offsides.

9′ – Leonardo, Rogers, Donovan, Juninho, and now De La Garza. Some nice distrubution here. Poor shot from A.J. there.

10′ – Not a good touch from Husidic. LA do recover.

11′ – Speculative clearance from Gonzalez there. Osorio now. Bradley.

12′  – Gonzalez with the block.  But Toronto FC are winning the possession battle. Here’s Rogers. Keane. The Donovan cross.

13′ – Plays it back. A save from Bendik on Juninho.

14′ – Robbie Rogers just took a knock and will be feeling that for a while.

15′ – Keane. He watches that go out for a corner.

16′ – Donovan will take this.

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 26 James Riley
OUT 14 Robbie Rogers

Headed away. Danger averted. The rebound, and Bendik collects.

17′ – Toronto were forced to show courage in the back.

18′ – Keane and Juninho miss. Toronto walking on the wild side. Keane. That is a terrible touch. Boy, Donovan is feeling really filthy after that.

19′ – Husidic under pressure. Here;s James Riley, back in MLS action after a long layoff.

20′ – Here’s a chance. What a clearance from the Reds. Justin Morrow showing no fear against Donovan. Leonardo is forced to slow down the counter.

21′ – Leo clears. Zardes now.

22′ – Riley again, to Juninho. Sarvas. Keane! You beauty!

GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 7 Robbie Keane

Just like that, it’s 1-0 LA. And Toronto, once again, are forced to play under the pump!

23′ – If this result stands, TFC can take solace that that they weren’t on the short end of history.

24′ – Back come LA. Good passing here.

25′ – Outpassing Michael Bradley, once again, will be key for Los Angeles. They are currently on the ascendancy, but they should be up by more. KEANE!

GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 7 Robbie Keane

26′ – Joe Bendik could only look. Joe Bendik could only look in disgust, in disgrace, as he watches that go in. 2-0 LA.

27′ – Fans chanting “MVP! MVP!” Surely Keane has a case over a certain Nigerian from Seattle. Yeah, you figure that out; go look it up then come on back here.

28′ – Sarvas wins a throw for Riley.

29′ – Here’s Jaime Penedo. Well, Toronto have been down 2-0 before but the last time that happened, they came back to win it. The goalpost bailed out Penedo there. See what I mean?

30′ – Half an hour gone, and if it weren’t for that clanger, we’d have a new game on our hands. It’s 2-0 Galaxy. Sarvas plays it forward. Zardes got caught in the Don Valley Parkway backline of TFC.

31′ – Long ball. Nick Hagglund under the pump. Keane. Riley. Missed.

32′ – Juninho. A rocket, and that goes into the bleachers.

33′ – Too clumsy from Baggio Husidic. A free kick, Toronto FC’s first. Bradley time. from 40. Saved. Throw-in, Dominic Oduro, the former Columbus Crew bookend.

34′ – Riley now. Back come the Galaxy. Donovan to Keane. Sarvas to Gonzalez.

35′ – Riley again. Keane. Bradley bores of this tiki-taco fad passing. Keane again. And there’s Joe Bendik. An easy collection for the TFC netminder.

36′ – Baldomero Toledo with some verbal for Bendik. A throw-in awarded to Toronto after Zardes touched it out on the full.

37′ – This is some Keystone Kops defending. And Fabio Tovar raises the flag.

38′ – That’s a really bad touch from Donovan to reel that one in.

39′ – Warren Creavalle knew that LD was coming and had to hoof that forward. Keane’s offsides.

40′ – Hagglund wore Zardes like a glove there.

41′ – Juninho now. The rockets aren’t working for him. It will just have to be the menial passing labor. Donovan…cleared.

42′ – And Toronto FC are fortunate the breaks from that mad scramble went their way.

43′ – Donovan, Keane… another save from Bendik. Joe Bendik is keeping Toronto FC alive in this match. What a performance. Galaxy nerf possession.

44′ – Husidic…this is trouble. And Husidic screws that up. Insipid field awareness.  Zardes. Now it’s Keane. He loses the 1-v-1. Bradley on the attack.

45′ – This is some exciting fast-paced action here at StubHub. One minute.

45′ + 1′ – DeLaGarza gets called for the foul. Riley intercepts. Halftime.

HALFTIME
Los Angeles Galaxy 2
Toronto FC 0

Team Statistics

Los Angeles Galaxy in gold, Toronto FC in red

Goals and Assists

Assisted By: Marcelo Sarvas

25′

Robbie Keane

Assisted By: A.J. DeLaGarza, Landon Donovan

Well, Landon Donovan has officially become the greatest Major League Soccer player ever. He now has the career regular season goal and assist records. However, this falls right into Toronto FC’s hands.

Last weekend, they were down 2-0 and rallied back for a 3-2 upset of the Portland Timbers. This would be even more historic for the Reds: two straight 3-2 come-from-behind victories. Will we see it happen here? Now it’s the New York Red Bulls who are at the mercy of the Galaxy’s ability to close shop tonight.

SECOND HALF START: 8:41 P.M. PT/11:41 P.M. ET

46′ — The second half begins.

47′ – Baggio Husidic’s form has taken a bit of a dive tonight and we’re not sure why. DeLaGarza’s speed  prevails. Justin Morrow is offsides. Now it’s the Galaxy’s turn to walk the tightrope.

48′ – Another bad touch from Husidic. How will this affect his final player rating in the Plex’s postmatch report? Stay tuned. Luke Moore watches that go out on the full.

49′ – Toledo may issue some cards here this half. Expect it.

50′ – DeLaGarza, Leonardo, and now Riley. A blocked shot from Husidic. Throw-in, TFC.

51′ – Another restart awarded to the Reds after a ball possession battle.

52′ – Here’s Morrow.  Can Michael Bradley come up big this time? Gyasi Zardes concedes a throw.

53′ – A spill from Penedo. He recovers to collect.

54′ – Los Angeles are pressing for a third goal here, but Toronto are winning restarts on a constant basis, as Morrow puts that into play.

55′ – The rotation is predictable, Riley starting it out counter-clockwise. But TFC have not been able to break the cycle.

56′ – Luke Moore has missed another sitter. That’s two straight already. This may not be his night.

57′ – Hagglund wins that diuel, but here comes LA.

58′ – Husidic is called for a foul. Already this has been a poor night for Baggio, and it just got worse, despite the scoreline.

59′ – Daniel Lovitz now. A hero at the Canadian Championship, he needs to deliver. Actually, he’s done.

60′ – Substitution Toronto FC

IN 18 Jermain Defoe
OUT 5 Daniel Lovitz

61′ – Since Defoe got injured midway through the season, Toronto FC turned from a “Bloody Big Deal” into a “Bloody Big Mess.” it’s just now that TFC have broken out the mops and cleaned up their act. Here’s a set piece from 30, directly in front.

62′ – Collected by Penedo.

63′ – Hagglund gives Keane the “don’t argue.” That chance for Defoe is cleared for a throw. Gonzalez with a clearance.

64′ – The Galaxy are on notice. Oduro wins a restart. Toronto waste it.  Penedo will do the honors here.

65′ – Hagglund with the pick. And this is trouble. A push.

66′ – Toledo may have to set some order here. Some bad blood between these two teams, dating back to the 2012 CONCACAF Champions League.

67′ – Yellow card 21 Jonathan Osorio
Toronto FC

Yellow card 8 Marcelo Sarvas
Los Angeles Galaxy

68′ – Zardes now. Good marking from Warren Creavalle. And that’s another bad touch from Husidic tonight. Moore wins a corner.

69′ – Bradley. Collected by Penedo. Zardes has also been outplayed tonight.

70′ – Penedo hoofs it forward. Here’s Moore again, second leading goal scorer for Toronto FC.

71′ – Jimmy P snaps it up, and plahys it forward. Zardes wins the duel. Now here’s Keane.

72′ – Joe Bendik with the save. He hasn’t had to do a lot of work this half because Toronto are pressing.

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 24 Stefan Ishizaki
OUT 6 Baggio Husidic

73′ – What an awful night for Husidic, as Oduro misses wide right. In fact, Leonardo has played much better than Husidic and that’s saying something.

74′ – Ishizaki feels hard done by, but that was the right call from Toledo. Bradley now. Zardes. Not a good cross to Keane.

75′ – Substitution Toronto FC

IN 14 Dwayne De Rosario
OUT 27 Luke Moore

DeRo, despite his age, loves a big occasion and this is one of them. 24,164 in attendance.

76′ – Defoe…denied! Still not in perfect match fitness, but that was a rocket.

77′ – Keane! Saved by Bendik! He delivers again! What an extension. Now the counter. James Riley sweeps.

78′ – Donovan now. He tried to find Zardes. Another save from Bendik. He might finish with 10 on the night. What an effort. Corner, Donovan.

79 – Cleared. And here is the Mexican wave.

80′ – Substitution Toronto FC
IN 26 Collen Warner
OUT 8 Kyle Bekker

81′ – Here’s Defoe. Now it’s Bradley. Penedo slows things down.

82′ – Donovan. Donovan! He wins a corner. He just gave Justin Morrow the “don’t argue” prior.

83′ – Side netting. Big bullet dodged.

84′ – Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy

IN 9 Alan Gordon
OUT 10 Landon Donovan

85′ – So now with Gordon up top as a target, the onus is on Gordo to close up shop. TFC win a corner off the touch. Bradley will take this.

86′ – Saved. The rebound. Cleared. Corner, take two. Cleared. And another corner.

87′ – This is turning into a broken record here. Another TFC corner. This time it’s cleared for a throw. De Rosario now.

88′ – Not a good clearance from Leonardo. Morrow with the throw. Keane gets the “don’t argue.” And Toledo sees that and awards a restart to the Galaxy.

89′ – Gordon concedes a foul, but the Galaxy recover.

90′ – We’re into the final minute of regular time. And TFC win a restart.  Stefan Ishizaki now. Galaxy have been beaten on possession these last 10 minutes. Three minutes.

90′ + 1′ – DeLaGarza content to melt clock. Handball, Gordon. Some things never change.

90′ + 2′ – I reckon LA will sit on this lead.

90′ + 3′ – Gonzalez moving the ball around. The Galaxy backline still milking clock. Long hoof from Leonardo. Shouldn’t be much to go. Here’s Gordon!

GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 9 Alan Gordon

Toronto FC’s playoff dreams have been sent to the gallows, the guillotine, the gibbet…heck add Ol’ Sparky to the list! Why? The execution from this Galaxy club is world-class.

That’s it! It’s over!

FINAL
LOS ANGELES GALAXY 3
TORONTO FC 0

Team Statistics

Goals and Assists

Assisted By: Marcelo Sarvas

25′

Robbie Keane

Assisted By: A.J. DeLaGarza, Landon Donovan

90’+3′

Alan Gordon

Assisted By: Marcelo Sarvas

Disciplinary

Reason: Foul

66′

Jonathan Osorio

Reason: Argument

Substitutions

Match Information

MLS Regular Season at StubHub Center

Attendance 24064

Weather Clear

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