Los Angeles Galaxy vs. C.S. Herediano: Rating the Galaxy Players

A lackluster first half and an electric second half told the story at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy powered their way past Marvin Solano’s Club Sport Herediano, 4-1, to advance to the semifinals of the 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League against the defending champions, CF Monterrey.

Mar 13, 2013; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy defenseman Sean Franklin (5) during the game against C.S. Herediano during the second half at the Home Depot Center. The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated C.S. Herediano 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The Galaxy will be facing Los Rayados on the first week of April. For the time being, the focus will be on league play. Let’s take a look at the player ratings for the Los Angeles Galaxy against Club Sport Herediano on Wednesday.

Carlo Cudicini 7

Carlo Cudicini gets minus points for giving up a goal late in the second leg against El Team, but thankfully, the damage wasn’t worse and the Galaxy actually responded late in stoppage time. Cudi elected to go for long lottery clearances, which explains his 59 percent pass success rate. Defensively, he made two saves, one punchout, a clearance and three recoveries.

Leonardo 7

Good pass success rate (87 percent), and also had three interceptions, six clearances and three recoveries, according to the Opta Chalkboard. Leonardo is meeting expectations and should be good to go on Sunday against Chivas.

Todd Dunivant 7

An impressive 92 percent pass success rate, two headers, five clearances, and four recoveries. Another routine night for the Iron Man, who put the likes of Ismael Gomez and Jose Sanchez on notice.

A.J. DeLaGarza 7.5

DeLaGarza gets minus points for an average pass success rate (71 percent) but he gets a bonus for filling the defensive stats: two tackles won, a defender block, four interceptions and clearances each, a blocked cross and two recoveries.

Omar Gonzalez 8.5

Mar 13, 2013; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Jose Villarreal (33) moves the ball against C.S. Herediano during the second half at the Home Depot Center. The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated C.S. Herediano 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Helped spring the Galaxy into the lead early in the first hals. Also had an 87 percent pass success rate to go with a tackle won, two interceptions, four clearances and four recoveries. Gonzo could have bagged home a brace if he was on the right position on Juninho’s corners.

Sean Franklin 7.5

Franklin gets a .5 point deduction for his yellow card, four unsuccessful crosses and a 67 percent pass success rate but he did record two assists in the victory. Franklin also had seven recoveries and an interception.

Mike Magee 7

Magee didn’t have the touch and poise to score this time around, but he had an 85 percent pass success rate, two key passes, three headers, two successful flick-ons, a through ball and seven recoveries. Magee’s ability to influence a game as a midfielder or forward will be key when the Galaxy continue their CCL and MLS runs.

Marcelo Sarvas 6

Not as influential as before, but his pass success rate was high, sitting at 92 percent. However, Herediano did a good job homing in on Sarvas. A sort of going-away present before the next flight back to San Jose. Costa Rica, that is.

Juninho 7

Despite a 66 percent pass sucess rate and four unsuccessful crosses to go with a yellow card, Juninho was strong defensively with four tackles won and 10 recoveries. He also has two successful crosses and a key pass.

Robbie Keane 9

Great teams have great leaders on the pitch, and Robbie Keane is an example of that. More on Keane’s rating later.

Jose Villareal 8

Mar 13, 2013; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Bruce Arenas during the game against C.S. Herediano during the second half at the Home Depot Center. The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated C.S. Herediano 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

How’s this for coming back to the Galaxy! Fresh off a USA Under-20 Men’s National Team stint, Jose Villareal took advantage of his experience to break through and deliver a game winner, fittingly, in the 69th minute of play. While Villareal only had a 76 percent pass success rate to go with two unsuccessful flick-ons, he had four headers, four key passes, eight recoveries, an interception and a tackle won. Villareal was dangerous on the pitch and really tested the back line of El Team with Keane.

Michael Stephens 7.5

Stephens gets a bonus for two assists in garbage time that effectively iced the game and the aggregate for the Galaxy.

Jack McBean 7

For the limited time he was on the pitch, Beano (who I will personally refer Jack McBean as informally) showed that he can make opponents pay for not marking him and waving the white flag early, as seen in the last minute of stoppage time.

Rafael Garcia 4

Did not contribute much to the contest, other than helping burn off minutes from the clock in the second half.