Los Angeles Blues News Release -- www.labluesprosoccer.com
Monday, February 13, 2012
CARSON, Calif. – The Los Angeles Blues turned in an impressive performance on Friday in their 45-minute scrimmage with the Montreal Impact, playing the MLS expansion team to an even affair and a well-deserved 0-0 tie. While Impact Head Coach Jesse Marsch rested most of his stars, the Blues also weren’t at full strength, with several probable starters not expected to arrive in Southern California until late February.
Neither team was able to generate much offense in Friday’s meeting, the USL PRO side doing well to force frequent turnovers by putting constant pressure on their opponents. Nonetheless, they had luck to thank in the 34th minute when a chip from well outside the penalty area bounced off unsigned goalkeeper Amir Abedzadeh’s crossbar.
It was one of only two dangerous opportunities in the match, the other one falling to agile Blues trialist Park Jonghoon in the third minute. Entering the box on a dynamic sprint, Park managed to create some space for himself before being knocked slightly off balance and blasting a rocket over the crossbar.
The Blues strung an encouraging number of passes together on several occasions but understandably lacked the chemistry to top any of their promising buildups off with a deadly pass into the attack. Prior to the scrimmage with the Impact, the Blues had only taken the field once in 2012 and had fallen victim to a Los Angeles Galaxy side that benefited greatly from its players’ superior fitness and familiarity with each other.
Compared to the 7-2 defeat to the Galaxy, the scoreless tie with MLS’s newest franchise was a true revelation, with the team's defending looking most improved and several trialists significantly helping their causes. Among those singled out for their strong performances by Head Coach Charlie Naimo were Park, fellow Korean Cho Sunhyung, Matt Hall and former New York Red Bulls man Irving Garcia.
The Blues look to continue the upward trend as they prepare for a stern test on February 25 against the Mexican U-20 national team. The El Tri prospects are widely expected to have successful professional careers, with the majority already knocking on the door with their Priméra Division first teams. Among the most promising players are a pair of Monterrey strikers in Jesús Manuel Corona and Luis Madrigal as well as another forward in Cruz Azul’s Martín Galván, all of whom have seen playing time in the topflight.
Known as one of the greatest talents of his generation, Galván has attracted interest from Spain’s FC Barcelona and England’s Arsenal. In 2006, he became the youngest player to take the field in Priméra Division history when he subbed into a match against Monterrey at 14 years and 325 days old. Anyone interested in seeing this wunderkind of Mexican soccer in action should call 714-738-8011 or visit www.facebook.com/losangelesblues and click on “Get Tickets” in the drop-down menu on the left.