LA Galaxy take a one goal lead into SLC

Sean Franklin defends in a match earlier this year at Rio Tinto Stadium

The Los Angeles Galaxy took a one goal lead going into the second leg of the Western Conference semi final match on Thursday night.   The Galaxy scored on a long distance strike from Sean Franklin early in the second half.  Sean Franklin had scored only five goals in six MLS seasons prior to this bullet so the odds that he’d be the difference in the LA Galaxy’s advantage makes he strike all the more remarkable.

Kyle Beckerman and Omar Gonzalez

Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan were pressing the entire first half having several shots at the goal and none hitting the back of the net like the shot from Franklin.  The shot was off the outside of his foot and curved slightly into the back corner of the net.  A remarkable shot Franklin admitted he didn’t know was the difference maker until he opened his eyes and saw it in the back of the net.

Real Salt Lake started their back line with Tony Beltran, Nat Borchers, Chris Schuler, and Chris Wingert.  The defense did a much better job defending Robbie Keane than the prior meeting although he did get his a couple shots off that Nick Rimando was able to handle easily.

The second half was sparked by a couple substitutions by Real Salt Lake.  Robbie Findley and Devon Sandoval came into the match and the attacking by Real Salt Lake really picked up.  In the end the first leg of the aggregate combination of a home and home matchup ended with the LA Galaxy taking a one goal advantage.