A Big win for RSL starts off the post Jason Kries era for head coach Jeff Cassar. Cassar picked up right where Kries left off and the entire club looks like they have something to prove once again. Opening the season at StubHub against a strong LA Galaxy leaves no room for error, but anything can happen when these two teams meet.
The first half was full of aggressive play, but mostly clean fouls except for a yellow card for each club issued to Javier Morales of RSL and Riley for the Galaxy. RSL appeared to be right on track with their trademark passing and Beckerman showed his strength in the midfield setting the tone and timing for the RSL. LA was not quite as crisp in their passing, but they did have more chances on goal, and were amazing at their ability to get the ball out in front and get to the attacking half so quickly.
The second half picked up right where the first half ended with both teams playing more like this was a playoff game rather than the season opener.
Things really got interesting when Luke Mulholland put a missed shot by Sabario in the back of the net which was then called back by the assistant referee on a very questionable offsides call, a short time later Joao Plata took a through pass from Kyle Beckerman and put RSL up 1-0 in the 80th minute. The Plata goal added to the drama of a night that was called pretty close by the novice referee as it looked like Plata was offsides and looked a little like a makeup call for the mistake earlier on the Mulholland goal.
Late in the match the Galaxy had a chance to pull even as Tony Beltan was called for a foul in the penalty box in the 93rd minute and Robbie Keane’s penalty kick was blocked by Nick Rimando. This was Rimando’s 109th career shutout and he is very close to the league record.
RSL as always showed what makes them such a force in MLS as they continue making the team the star, and proved it by coming into a tough environment and taking home three points.