Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Chivas USA: Rating the Galaxy Players

When you get punched in the mouth by a rookie, it’s never a good feeling. When you punch yourself in the mouth before said punch by the rookie, it’s even worse. But that’s what happened to Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy, who settled for a 1-1 draw with Jose Luis Sanchez Sola’s Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Mar 17, 2013; Carson, CA, USA; General view of the MLS ball during the game between Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Draws against opponents like this are seriously frowned upon here at the View from Avalon and will result in bad ratings. How bad are they? One word: Bad. Here are the ratings for the Los Angeles Galaxy players who took to the pitch against Chivas USA.

Carlo Cudicini 5

Normally, Carlo Cudicini would get a lower grade than this given the outcome and the opponent. However, he gets a bonus for having arguably the best pass success rate of the entire team: 96 percent.

Todd Dunivant 4.5

64 percent pass success rate, two unsuccessful crosses, a tackle lost, two shots off target, only two interceptions and recoveries each, and just seven clearances. Subpar effort from the Iron Man.

A.J. DeLaGarza 2.5

Despite an 82 percent pass success rate and two key passes, DeLaGarza only managed five recoveries, two clearances and an interception. He was one of three players that failed to defend the Chivas equalizer. As a matter of fact, DeLaGarza failed to mark Carlos Alvarez, who was streaking down the left side.

Leonardo 3

Mar 17, 2013; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy players pose for a team photo before the game against Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center. Front row (from left): Juniho (19), Marcelo Sarvas (8), Jose Villarreal (33), A.J. DeLaGarza (20) and Todd Dunivant (2). Back row: Carlo Cudini (1), Omar Gonzalez (4), Robbie Keane (7), Colin Clark (33), Sean Franklin (5) and Mike McGee (18). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In the 45 minutes he was on the pitch, Leonardo had a 78 percent pass success rate, two interceptions, two clearances and five recoveries. Leo also was guilty of helping give up the Carlos Alvarez goal.

Sean Franklin 4

Franklin was not good with his crosses, despite earning a 77 percent pass success rate. The only major contribution defensively was his eight recoveries. Franklin also gets a deduction for getting a yellow.

Omar Gonzalez 5.5

The only solid defender for the Galaxy this game. An 82 pass success rate, three key passes, nine clearances, two interceptions, four recoveries and a tackle won. A shame, really, that the others could not step their game up in a contest against an opponent that they should be stepping all over on…along with wiping their cleats.

Mike Magee 4.5

86 percent pass success rate, two clearances, two tackles won, two recoveries, two key passes and two successful crosses. However, he was hindered by some rough challenges by Chivas USA’s defenders and ended the match quite banged up. His shooting was also off this time. The biggest highlight of the day for Magee: a set piece in which he slips and falls on the pitch, for which he earns a .5 deduction for the Gong Show delivery.

Colin Clark 1

This was supposed to be Colin Clark’s big day out. It was far from it. He failed to contribute much to the match, aside from tackle won, and an interception and clearance each.

Marcelo Sarvas 5

An 80 percent pass success rate, three lay offs, three headers, 11 recoveries, four interceptions and three tackles won defined Sarvas’s efforts. He does get a penalty for his caution. Shooting also missed the mark, too.

Juninho 3

Mar 17, 2013; Carson, CA, USA; “Don

Here’s an idea, Juninho: stop trying to be David Beckham. You’re not Becks. Seven of Juni’s crosses were diabolical and let to nothing getting done. While he did win eight recoveries, made three key passes and made five lay offs, Juninho managed just a 70 percent pass success rate and couldn’t shoot if his life depended on it. This was a day to forget for the Brazilian.

Michael Stephens 3

Garbage time, and was caught sleeping on the sequence that led to the Chivas goal in the 89th minute.

Jack McBean 6

The Man of the Match, for what looked to the be the game-winner in the 83rd-minute until it dawned on the Galaxy that they are highly-skilled at being their own worst enemy late in games.

Robbie Keane 3