The Los Angeles Galaxy came roaring back on Friday, they defeated the Houston Dynamo 4-1 at BBVA Compass Stadium. It's time to take a moment and evaluate the Galaxy's performance against the Dynamo in Texas.
Rowe and the back line put in a solid performance on the road
Brian Rowe (7): He was not that busy in the match after LA tied the game. However, he still managed to make two crucial saves to keep Houston stuck at one.
A.J. DeLaGarza (7): The veteran full back was able to control his side of the pitch and neutralize the Dynamo. His activity on the offensive side might not have been that affective but he still did manage to move the ball around.
Daniel Steres (7): He was solid in the back once again. He and Jelle Van Damme were able to slow down Will Bruin and Giles Barnes.
Jelle Van Damme (7): He wa a beast in the back line. After the Galaxy conceded the goal in the first minute, he guided the defense to frustrate and shutdown the Dynamo attack.
Ashley Cole (7): Controlled his side of the field and was hardly beat to second balls. The former English international was also busy on the offensive end.
LA's offense never stopped running at Houston's defense
Baggio Husidic (8): He was busy winning the ball back and then starting the attack. He completed 20 of his 24 passes and finished the game with a goal.
Giovani Dos Santos (9): The Mexican playmaker guided LA to their first road victory of the season by recording a brace in Houston.
Mike Magee (5): Was not able to make his usual impact in the match. In fact since he jumped into the starting 11 in Los Angeles' second match against the Colorado Rapids his performances has been dropping a bit. Maybe Magee should be a sub like he did in the opener against D.C. United. He registered two goals and recorded an assist at the StubHub Center.
Sebastian Lletget (8): The former U.S. youth international was busy running at the defense and completing passes into the penalty box. He played an important role in two of the Galaxy's goals.
Dos Santos' first goal happened because of a run he made into the box and fought to win the ball. His effort was able to create a goal scoring opportunity for the Mexican World Cup veteran in the penalty box. Dos Santos went ahead and blasted the ball into the back of the net.
The San Francisco native went on to finish the game with an assist. He delivered a cross to U. S. international Gyasi Zardes in the box. Zardes than blasted the ball into the net to secure the 4-1 victory.
Steven Gerrard (7): The former Liverpool captain made dangerous passes in the match. His best was the long ball he sent to Dos Santos in the 31st minute. That ball ended up setting up the Galaxy playmaker for his second goal, while Gerrard finished with an assist.
Gyasi Zardes (7): The U.S. international pace and strength made an impact in the match. He never stopped running at the defense and finished the game with a goal.
Safe substitutes
Emmanuel Boateng (Came in for Magee in the 67th minute, 5): Made a few runs and completed a few passes, but never made the Dynamo sweat.
Dave Romney (Came in for Van Damme in the 82nd minute, 6): Was not forced to do that much in the game. However, he did not make any mistakes in the few minutes that he played.
Arena's decisions lead to a comfortable rare road victory
Bruce Arena (7): He made solid decisions to cover for the suspended Nigel de Jong and for the injured Robbie Rogers. Plus he placed Dos Santos in the right place to help him shake of his frustration of last season. The subs might not have been that affective but the two of them did not make any glaring mistakes.
However, the one major concern for Arena is the early goal Houston scored. LA has only kept one clean sheet this season and that came against a 10-men Vancouver Whitecaps side at BC Place.
Where LA's stands now
However, with that being said this result has placed the Galaxy in fifth place with 11 points. A victory in their next match against second place Real Salt Lake can help them overlap RSL. That game will be played on Saturday at the StubHub Center.