Rodgers spurs Metro to key win over LA, 2:0
October 4, 2011
There were two Englishmen on the field today. One has played for some of the world's biggest clubs, and has shined on the sport's biggest stages. The other has a journeyman's resume. Yet tonight, it was our Luke Rodgers that got the better of fancy boy David Beckham, scoring the opening goal to lead Metro to an incredibly important 2:0 win over the Galaxy.
"Clever" Hans Backe kept the lineup the same, which means that everyone's favorite Rafa Marquez stayed in central midfield. The Galaxy tested Frank Rost early, but the German jotunn owned the penalty area, possibly proving that signing him was not the worst idea out there. And then, slowly but surely, Metro started to take control. Sustained pressure led to a corner kick in the 31st minute. Jan Gunnar Solli sent a snapping header on goal, but it was parried by Donovan Ricketts. Rodgers, parked in front of the net, threw up his leg to redirect the ball backwards for the oh-so-important lead.
Soon after, Rodgers almost doubled the advantage, after Lindpere caused a turnover and Titi Henry got the ball to Rodgers a few meters from goal. Sadly, the beloved Englishman slammed it off the post.
The insurance goal came in the 60th minute. Teemu Tainio stole the ball in midfield, got it to Marquez, and the often-terrible supposed-star, who had his share of horrid passes in the first half, actually did one right. He sent a long ball to Henry, springing him on a breakaway with only Ricketts to beat. The captain did just that.
And that was all, 2:0, with the Galaxy rarely threatening the rest of the way. Beckham was rendered useless, usually sleepwalking through midfield. Henry hit the woodwork on another breakaway, but tonight, a third was not necessary.
So now, two games left, and a real chance to make the playoffs. The season is still alive... in large part thanks to a journeyman Englishman.
Lineup: Rost, Miller, Ream, Keel, Solli, Tainio, Marquez, Lindpere, Richards, Rodgers, Henry. Subs: McCarty, Ballouchy.
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