LA Galaxy draw with Santos, RSL lose to Tigres in CONCACAF Champs Lge

ByAssociated Press ESPN logo
Thursday, February 25, 2016

Dan Kennedy made five saves and the new-look LA Galaxy held Santos Laguna to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday night.

After failing to defend its MLS title last season, the Galaxy underwent another roster overhaul heavy on star power. Five newcomers were in the starting lineup, including English defender Ashley Cole and Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong, and it didn't take long for that class to show itself.

Jelle Van Damme's header off a corner kick forced Santos Laguna goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin to make a dramatic one-handed save in the opening minute.

The Galaxy continued to create chances early, with Robbie Keane slipping behind three defenders in the 17th minute but unable to head Steven Gerrard's pass on goal.

In Wednesday's other match, Jose Rivas and Jurgen Damm scored goals in the second half as Tigres defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0 in the teams' first leg.

Rivas opened the scoring in the 67th minute and Damm sealed the win in the 86th for Tigres, which is looking to qualify for a first semifinal in this tournament.

Tigres, Liga MX champions, was a runner-up in last year's Copa Libertadores and needs a tie or a 1-0 loss to get to the semis.

The second leg will be played next Wednesday in Salt Lake City.

Real Salt Lake was far from its top shape because the game was played two weeks before the start of the Major League Soccer season.

French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac missed a penalty kick in the 45th minute for Tigres.