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Galaxy bests Revolution in scoreless match
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Desert Diamond Cup soccer

Galaxy bests Revolution in scoreless match

Championship game goes to tie-breaker; RSL edges out New York in early match

  • Galaxy players and staff raise the Desert Diamond Cup trophy in celebration of their win over the New England Revolution.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comGalaxy players and staff raise the Desert Diamond Cup trophy in celebration of their win over the New England Revolution.
  • Galaxy forward Jack McBean prepares to cross the ball from inside the New England 18 yard box.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comGalaxy forward Jack McBean prepares to cross the ball from inside the New England 18 yard box.
  • Revolution midfielder Kelyn Rowe steps up to take a throw in.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comRevolution midfielder Kelyn Rowe steps up to take a throw in.
  • New England forward Saer Sene sends a cross into the LA area.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comNew England forward Saer Sene sends a cross into the LA area.
  • Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Perk collects the ball as New England's attack swarms into his box.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comGalaxy goalkeeper Brian Perk collects the ball as New England's attack swarms into his box.
  • Revs mifielder Kelyn Rowe has been an important part of the New England squad in the preseason.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comRevs mifielder Kelyn Rowe has been an important part of the New England squad in the preseason.
  • New England's Kelyn Rowe carries the ball through the midfield.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comNew England's Kelyn Rowe carries the ball through the midfield.
  • New England forward Saer Sene protests the yellow card that his teammate Shalrie Joseph was shown late in the first half.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comNew England forward Saer Sene protests the yellow card that his teammate Shalrie Joseph was shown late in the first half.
  • The LA Galaxy wall does the job, blocking a free kick from New England's Kelyn Rowe.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comThe LA Galaxy wall does the job, blocking a free kick from New England's Kelyn Rowe.
  • New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comNew England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph.
  • New England's Benny Feilhaber moves the ball into the LA half late in the game.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comNew England's Benny Feilhaber moves the ball into the LA half late in the game.
  • Galaxy and Revolution players compete to get on the end of a corner kick in the New England box.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comGalaxy and Revolution players compete to get on the end of a corner kick in the New England box.
  • Revs midfielder Stephen McCarthy struggles with Galaxy midfielder Jack McBean to get on the end of a long ball.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comRevs midfielder Stephen McCarthy struggles with Galaxy midfielder Jack McBean to get on the end of a long ball.
  • Despite saving a penalty during the shootout and putting one in the back of the net for his team, Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis was unable to win the game.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comDespite saving a penalty during the shootout and putting one in the back of the net for his team, Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis was unable to win the game.
  • LA Galaxy players celebrate Marcelo Sarvas' game-winning penalty.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comLA Galaxy players celebrate Marcelo Sarvas' game-winning penalty.
  • Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Perk is congratulated for his game-winning heroics between the sticks that won the Desert Diamond Cup for LA.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comGalaxy goalkeeper Brian Perk is congratulated for his game-winning heroics between the sticks that won the Desert Diamond Cup for LA.
  • Salt Lake defender Jamison Olave and New York forward Kenny Cooper charge down a ball.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSalt Lake defender Jamison Olave and New York forward Kenny Cooper charge down a ball.
  • RSL defender Tony Beltran and New York defender Roy Miller sprint for the ball in the Salt Lake box.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comRSL defender Tony Beltran and New York defender Roy Miller sprint for the ball in the Salt Lake box.
  • Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando collects the ball from teh feet of Roy Miller and Tony Beltran.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comReal Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando collects the ball from teh feet of Roy Miller and Tony Beltran.
  • Salt Lake players congratulate Chris Wingert for his goal against the New York Red Bulls.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSalt Lake players congratulate Chris Wingert for his goal against the New York Red Bulls.
  • New York striker Kenny Cooper squares to shoot.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comNew York striker Kenny Cooper squares to shoot.
  • A crowd of over ten thousand showed up to enjoy the final day of MLS soccer in Tucson during the Desert Diamond Cup.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comA crowd of over ten thousand showed up to enjoy the final day of MLS soccer in Tucson during the Desert Diamond Cup.
  • New York captain Thierry Henry wins a header against Real defender Tony Beltran.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comNew York captain Thierry Henry wins a header against Real defender Tony Beltran.
  • The crowd was delighted to have Rafa Marquez play for the Red Bulls in the second half.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comThe crowd was delighted to have Rafa Marquez play for the Red Bulls in the second half.
  • RSL forward Paulo Jr. sends New York's Rafa Marquez to the floor as he dribbles through the New York midfield.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comRSL forward Paulo Jr. sends New York's Rafa Marquez to the floor as he dribbles through the New York midfield.
  • Real Salt Lake forward Alvaro Saborio shoots a ball from the edge of the New York box.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comReal Salt Lake forward Alvaro Saborio shoots a ball from the edge of the New York box.
  • New York goalkeeper Jeremy Vuolo watches as a ball strikes the woodwork of his goal.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comNew York goalkeeper Jeremy Vuolo watches as a ball strikes the woodwork of his goal.
  • New York's Roy Miller was cautioned late in the game for a bad tackle on Terukazu Tanaka.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comNew York's Roy Miller was cautioned late in the game for a bad tackle on Terukazu Tanaka.
  • Real Salt Lake forward Alvaro Saborio heads a ball as the New York midfield close down on him.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comReal Salt Lake forward Alvaro Saborio heads a ball as the New York midfield close down on him.
  • RSL forward Paulo Jr. tries to get past New York defender Conor Lade at the edge of the New York 18 yard box.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comRSL forward Paulo Jr. tries to get past New York defender Conor Lade at the edge of the New York 18 yard box.

The LA Galaxy ended their first Desert Diamond Cup in triumph with a penalty kick victory against the New England Revolution, as 10,172 soccer fans crowded Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium to see the scoreless draw.

The scoreline wasn't for lack of trying on both sides. Seemingly easy shots would go wide or sail fruitlessly above the crossbar. It got to the point when the stadium announcer took to the mike late in the game to lead the crowd in a "we need a goal" chant.

The Galaxy's line-up featured many reservists; their starters were being rested in anticipation of next week's CONCACAF Champions League match against Toronto FC. The Revolution, on the other hand, played many of their starters with forward Brett Brettschneider the only one who isn't anticipated to be a first-team player.

Even with their experience advantage, New England was unable to continue its winning ways. The match ended in a way familiar to long-time watchers of both the Revolution and the Galaxy: a cup final with a draw at the close of regular time.

The teams quickly set up for a penalty kick decider. Los Angeles's Paolo Cardozo hit the back of the net, finally giving the stadium announcer a reason to scream "¡GOOOOOL!" into the microphone.

Los Angeles goalkeeper Brian Perk saved Ryan Guy's shot. It was the first of two shots that Perk was able to save, the other being Benny Feilhaber's.

The final penalty kick came from Marcelo Sarvas, who shot the ball past Matt Reis to secure the win for the Galaxy.

Defending penalty kicks

A penalty kick can be thought of as soccer's equivalent of a basketball free throw: a reasonably decent player should be able to score one far more often than not. They are also difficult for a goalkeeper to defend against. The rules force a keeper to be planted on the goal line so they have to anticipate where the ball is going before the shot is taken.

There is a difference in psychology between defending against a penalty kick during a game and defending against one during one of these "shootouts," said LA's Brian Perk after the match.

"As soon as you get in that situation, it's one of the best times as a goalkeeper," he said. "It flips, as opposed to you being the goat if you make mistakes, here the pressure is off," he said.

"It's a little different when it's in a game because you only have one shot at it. It changes the mindset a little bit," Perk said, pointing out that kick-takers will often shoot for corners during a match. They will act differently during a tie-breaker, and even change as the tie-breaker continues.

"In a PK shootout, they are a little more free because it's zero-zero, even. As it goes on, people get a little tighter, a little tighter and that narrows the window that they're willing to put it in," he said.

"So, the way you do shoot-outs is for the first couple you can take a little more risk. You wait and react a little bit," he said. "That's generally how it's done."

Claret, Cobalt and Bronze

In the earlier third-place match, Real Salt Lake defeated the New York Red Bulls 1-0.

The lone goal was scored by Chris Wingert, who later had to leave the match due to an eye injury.

RSL's defense was helmed by goalkeeper Nick Rimando, who is back to the team after traveling to Genoa with the U.S. national team earlier this week. Also impressive was Chris Schuler, who paired up with veteran and fellow central defender Jamison Olave to frustrate New York's attack throughout the match.

It was the only chance local fans got to see New York's Rafael Márquez, who came in for the second half. It also will be the only chance for fans to see him at all for a few weeks. He will be sitting out the first few Red Bulls matches due to a suspension stemming from a brawl during last year's playoffs.

Video

New England Revolution vs. LA Galaxy

Scoring Summary

  • None

Penalty Kick Summary

  • LAG – Paolo Cardozo – GOAL
  • NER – Ryan Guy – SAVED
  • LAG – Michael Stephens – SAVED
  • NER – Matt Reis – GOAL
  • LAG – Hector Jimenez – GOAL
  • NER – Shalrie Joseph – GOAL
  • LAG – Ken Walker – GOAL
  • NEG – Benny Feilhaber – SAVED
  • LAR – Marcelo Sarvas - GOAL

Misconduct Summary

  • NER – Shalrie Joseph (caution, 45+')
  • New England Revolution: Matt Reis - Chris Tierney (Darrius Barnes 46'), A.J. Soares (John Lozano 46'), Stephen McCarthy,  Kevin Alston - Benny Feilhaber, Shalrie Joseph, Clyde Simms (Austin da Luz 71'), Kelyn Rowe (Ryan Guy 79) - Blake Brettschneider (Fernando Cárdenas 66), Saër Sène
  • Los Angeles Galaxy: Brian Perk - Todd Dunivant (J.T. Murray, 46'), Bryan Gaul, Tommy Meyer - Dan Keat (Justin Davies 64'), Pat Noonan (Paolo Cardozo 66), Marcelo Sarvas, Juninho (Kenney Walker 69'), Mike Stephens - Jack McBean, Chad Barrett (Hector Jimenez 61')

Real Salt Lake 1 vs. New York Red Bulls 0

Scoring summary

  • RSL - Chris Wingert (28')

Misconduct summary

  • RSL: Terukazu Tanaka (caution, 76’)
    NYR: Rafa Marquez (caution, 77’)
    NYR: Roy Miller (caution, 78’)
  • New York Red Bulls: Jeremy Vuolo - Jan Gunnar Solli (Connor Lade 43’), Markus Holgersson, Stephen Keel (Tyler Ruthven 55’) - Roy Miller, Dane Richards (Mehdi Ballouchy 90’), Teemu Tainio, Dax McCarty (Rafa Marquez 46’), Joel Lindpere - Kenny Cooper (Juan Agudelo 46’), Thierry Henry
  • Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando - Tony Beltran, Jamison Olave (Leone Cruz 80’), Chris Schuler, Chris Wingert (Terukazu Tanaka 56’) - Ned Grabavoy, Sebastian Velasquez (Javier Morales 60’), Kyle Beckerman, Luis Gil (Jonny Steele 60’)- Paulo Jr., Emiliano Bonfigli (Alvaro Saborio 60’)

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