MLS LA Galaxy

Three Points: LA Galaxy Demolish Philadelphia Union, 5-1

June 20, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


CARSON, Calif. - LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides his Three Points from the Galaxy's 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Union.

JUNINHO BRILLIANT AGAINST UNION

The LA Galaxy's midfield fulcrum Juninho showed why he's one of the finest midfielders in Major League Soccer as he led the Galaxy to a dominant 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union.

Fierce on both sides of the ball, Juninho's defensive ability was vital in slowing down the Union after the visitors stormed out of the gate. On the offensive end, Juninho put the Union away for good in the 35th minute with a left-footed blast from distance to score his second tally of the season which secures the Brazilian midfielder his highest goal tally since the 2012 season.

As beautiful as Juninho's goal-and subsequent backflip- was the Brazilian's finest moment came in the 32nd minute when he delivered a Beckham-esque curling pass to Stefan Ishizaki that eventually led to a dangerous Galaxy opportunity.

GYASI ZARDES HEATING UP AT THE RIGHT TIME.

A scintillating run of form for Gyasi Zardes helped carry the LA Galaxy up the standings a year ago, and it appears that the kid from Hawthorne is starting to hit his stride heading into the second half of the season.

Zardes put forth his strongest showing of the season as the striker terrorized a Philadelphia back line that was ill equipped to deal with the forward's speed. It was his speed that paid off on Zardes' fourth goal of the season in 56th minute, but he also showed an ability to set up his teammates as the striker picked up a pair of assists on the night.

Add in Zardes' performances for the U.S. national team and the 22-year-old striker has four goals and two assists in his last seven matches. A red-hot Gyasi Zardes? That's a scary thought for MLS defenses.

OUR FIRST LOOK AT THE FIRST CHOICE LINEUP?

Injuries and international call ups have decimated Bruce Arena's team this season but on Saturday, we got our initial glance at Galaxy's A-Team in their 5-1 thumping of the Philadelphia Union.

After a slow start, the Galaxy soon found a gear that we have not seen since their run to the MLS Cup title a year ago. Firing on all cylinders, the Galaxy overwhelmed the Union and soon sprinted out to a 5-1 win. The output was the Galaxy's highest goal tally for a league match this regular season, and comes on the heels of a 6-1 U.S. Open Cup win earlier in the week. .

Of course, the squad will improve next month when Steven Gerrard arrives but Saturday's performance shows that the squad has a high ceiling even without the Englishman.

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