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Undermanned Galaxy play United to draw

Jun 3, 2007 - 6:39 AM CARSON, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Galaxy and D.C. United each had many opportunities. However, none that came to fruition as the teams battled to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night.

The shorthanded Galaxy, who played the match with only 13 players at their disposal, had the first opportunity in the second minute nearly capitalizing on a turnover by United.

Pete Vagenas took a pass shot from the top of the penalty area sailed just wide of the net.

They had another opportunity in the fourth minute when Cobi Jones sent a cross to Nate Jaqua, who gathered the ball with a clear shot at the goal, but he fired it over the cross bar.

Jaqua was in the middle of yet another scoring chance in the 35th minute but his header floated over the cross bar and landed harmlessly on the top of the net.

The Galaxy have are winless in their last four games.

"It's getting to be the same old story having chances to score, especially early on, and not scoring," Los Angeles coach Frank Yallop said.

"In the end, a draw is pretty fair. Obviously it's disappointing not to win at home. Overall I'm happy with the team's play. I think the defense served us greatly tonight to keep us in the game.

Meanwhile, United coach Tom Sohem was not happy with his team's effort in the opening half.

"I was real disappointed the way we came out in the first half," Sohem said. "The key for success for today was establishing ourselves in the first 15 minutes and being good with the ball, and we didn't accomplish either."

Los Angeles, which has won 11 of the last 15 meetings between the teams, had a great chance to break through in the 79th minute, when Landon Donovan took a pass in front of the penalty area and fired a low shot that was deflected by a sliding defender.

Meanwhile United had it chances go by the wayside as well. Reigning MLS MVP Christian Gomez nearly helped break the scoreless tie for United in the 58th minute finding Emilio Luciano with a cross, but goalkeeper Joe Cannon saved Luciano's header.

United, which are unbeaten in its last five games, another great scoring chance in the 62nd minute, when Fred headed a cross from Jaime Moreno wide of the right post.

D.C. outshot the Galaxy, 17-9, for the game. However, Cannon denied all of their threats, saving five shots.

United goalkeeper Troy Perkins notched his first shutout of the season, and did so while making just one save.

United striker Ben Olsen summed up the game that featured so many missed opportunities.

"For a 0-0 tie, it must have been an okay game to watch," Olsen said. "I feel fortunate to sneak out of here with a point. They had an urgency about them and were playing very direct, but we had the majority of the possession, so we're glad to take our point and go home."