Few words could describe the Galaxy’s performance less than the quintessential saying “sh*t happens” as Bruce Arena so lightly put it in the post game press conference. The point being that the Galaxy should of capitalized more than what the final score of the first leg depicted. The evening began with Bruce Arena fielding a traditional 4-4-2 to Jason Kries’ pragmatic 4-5-1. When the match began the Galaxy were enjoying majority of possession of the ball from the start of the first half. Although the possession the Galaxy held only created a handful of decent opportunities. Salt Lake on the other hand found it difficult to hold possession of the ball in the first half. Even though they did manage to sally forth when they did have possession to apply pressure on the Galaxy’s goal.

At half time going into the break the same way as the game started, the home side were unlucky to grab the lead after an attempt hit wide in the opening 20 minutes by Donovan. Once the game recommenced it did not take long for the first blood to be drawn. Three minutes after the restart Keane laid off a pass for Sean Franklin outside the 18-yard box. Sean Franklin took the pass first time and smashed the ball into the back of Nick Rimando’s goal for the Galaxy to take the lead in the 48^th minute.After Franklin’s goal Kries needed to restructure his formation on the field, his decision to bring on Robbie Findley for Yordany Alvarez gave Salt Lake another attacking option on the pitch. Slowly with the extra space in the middle of the field Real Salt Lake began to enjoy possession of the ball more. In the dying moments of the match Real Salt Lake look threatening, with their extra attacking threat and more space in the middle of the field for them to maneuver the ball.

But much to Jason Kries’ chagrin Real Salt Lake couldn’t find an away goal at the Stub Hub Center. The Galaxy will take their 1-0 advantage to Salt Lake City thursday night in hopes to advance further in the MLS cup. There are a positive or two for Real Salt Lake when they take on the Galaxy in the second leg of the Western Conference semi-finals at the Rio Tinto in Utah. The deficit going into the second leg for Real is only one goal, Real would relish an opportunity to defeat the Galaxy in front of their home fans. That being said, if the Los Angeles Galaxy were to go to Salt Lake City and score at the Rio Tinto stadium it would only make the situation a harsh challenge for Real Salt Lake.  

Photography accredited to Angelica Orozco