Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire: Rating the Galaxy Players

Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy opened up the 2013 Major League Soccer season with a 4-0 shutout victory of the Chicago Fire at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Mike Magee scored a hat trick in the 38th, 68th, and 74th minutes of play and Robbie Keane added an insurance goal in the 80th minute.

Mar 3, 2013; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy fans during the game against the Chicago Fire at The Home Depot Center. Galaxy won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Every competitive match that the Galaxy takes part in on the View from Avalon will feature match ratings. Here are the match ratings for the Los Angeles Galaxy players that took part against the Chicago Fire on Sunday.

Carlo Cudicini 6
Not a lot of work was needed from Cudicini on Sunday: just a few token collections and one save. It also helps when Chicago’s open goal opportunities were wasted and the back line of Los Angeles did some heavy lifting. Cudicini, however, gets a minus for nearly giving up a howler in the first half. This match could have been 4-2 LA.

Omar Gonzalez 7.5
Gonzalez only managed a 77 percent pass success rate, but did added seven headers, two tackles won, three interceptions, six clearances and five recoveries. Also earned an assist on the Robbie Keane goal. Textbook effort from one of the more consistent defenders in the league.

A.J. DeLaGarza 7.5
DeLaGarza had a good day out, earned an 83 percent pass success rate to go with three headers, four interceptions, two clearances and four recoveries. His speed and tenacity kept the likes of Patrick Nyarko in check, and that’s always a good thing.

Todd Dunivant 6.5
Horrible passing (69 percent pass success rate) to go with four unsuccessful crosses, but he did make four interceptions, two clearances and seven recoveries. And he also had an assist on one of the Mike Magee goals—the first, to be exact.

Leonardo 7
Leo’s back with a vengeance. On the Opta Chalkboard, Leonardo earned a 93 percent pass success rate to go with five clearances and six recoveries. It’s a great start, and fans can expect more of the same as the scene shifts to CONCACAF action.

Sean Franklin 6.5
Sean Franklin could have had a better game and looked rusty at times during the contest. He had only a 73 percent pass success rate, but Franklin earned five lay offs, six headers, two successful crosses, three tackles won and six recoveries.

March 3, 2013; Carson, CA, USA; General view of Los Angeles Galaxy championship banner during the second half at Home Depot Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Juninho 8
This is a midfielder that came into Sunday with big shoes to fill. Big English shoes, that is. After the match against Chicago, it’s safe to say…he’s filling them nicely. Juninho earned an 81 percent pass success rate, a 60 percent cross success rate, three lay offs and key passes each, seven tackles won, three interceptions and nine recoveries.

Marcelo Sarvas 7
Solid passing (85 percent pass success rate) and six recoveries to go with some creativity in the midfield. Just what you would expect from Marcelo Sarvas. A good start.

Colin Clark 6
Colin Clark was making his debut in the midfield for the Galaxy, and it was an average debut at best. Only a 68 percent pass success rate but he didn’t have a lot of touches. He did have three tackles and four interceptions, but he needs to understand whose jersey he’s donning…and it ain’t orange.

Mike Magee 10
Man of the match, despite an abysmal 55 percent pass success rate. Now, I don’t give 10 ratings that often, especially when the play in question is not a reputable passer. But as a forward, Magee’s job is to score and finish the play. He was in the right position and his accuracy was 83 percent. I will give Magee a 10 rating for this game but that’s all he will get for the season…unless he scores five and has pass and shot accuracy ratings that are nearly flawless at the minimum.

Robbie Keane 8.5
Got an assist and a goal. An article evaluating Keane’s performance will be posted on the View from Avalon.

Jack McBean 5
Almost got his first goal on his first shot but just missed wide right.

Michael Stephens 6
More cleanup work for Stephens, who gets a bonus for an assist on the Robbie Keane goal late in the second half.

Rafael Garcia NR
Came into the game late, no rating given.