Getting a point on the road is usually considered a good result in Major League Soccer.
Getting a point in a 0-0 draw with the defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy in its backyard is an accomplishment.
“It was a great team performance,” said Nigel Reo-Coker. “We knew it was going to be tough. For me, they are the best team in the league. Their style and system and the way they play their football, it was a great result for us.”
Tough is probably too delicate a word in describing life at the StubHub Center for visiting teams.
The Galaxy had 11 wins from 14 games in Carson, California in MLS play before Saturday’s game. Across all competitions, the Galaxy has won all 10 of its previous matches at home, by a combined score of 44-8.
“It was a good game,” added Designated Player Didier Drogba. “It was a good clean sheet. When you play away, it’s important to play well defensively. A draw is a good result here. We took an important point from the reigning champions.”
What was even more impressive was that the Impact backline managed this feat without regular defenders Ambroise Oyongo and Laurent Ciman, returning from international duty and in Ciman’s case, currently suspended.
Wandrille Lefèvre, Victor Cabrera, Donny Toia and Reo-Coker put in solid performances, but according to the Englishman, it was the overall team performance that kept the high-flying Galaxy off the board.
“We played without our regular backline and to have such a good performance and keep one of the best strikers in the league quiet, it was a great performance. It was a group performance,” he said. “We are all one for the same goal.”
