Jairo Arrieta continued his impressive early Crew career with a 47th minute goal. Unfortunately, for Crew fans, Ireland International Robbie Keane equalized for the LA Galaxy and the game ended in a 1-1 draw in front of an emotional Columbus Crew stadium, in the first game since the loss of Kirk Urso.
Robbie Keane wore the captains armband for the evening for L.A. and always looked the most likely to score, carving out several goal scoring chances throughout the first half before he finally found the net in vintage fashion in the second half.
The Galaxy were once again without David Beckham, rested after returning from the Olympics, and Landon Donovan, who was on international duty for the US.
Arrieta’s early second half strike was his third goal in five games, and one that Galaxy ‘keeper Josh Saunders will want to quickly forget. Bringing the ball in from the right wing and shooting with his weaker foot, Arrieta’s shot slipped agonizingly off the palms of Saunders and into the net.
After a first half of dominant play and an early second half goal it seemed like the script had already been written for this game, but on 64 minutes Robbie Keane popped up in the box behind the Crew defense and slotted home from a few yards out.
As time ran down and the Crew pushed for a winning goal it was the Galaxy that started to look the more likely winners. Andy Gruenebaum and Sebastian Miranda were called upon to perform heroics to keep the ball out of the Crew goal.
Columbus head to Houston this coming Sunday before returning next Wednesday for the rescheduled game against Toronto FC.
R.I.P Kirk Urso
