T&T Pro League and Caribbean Football Union Club Champions, Central FC shrugged off its in-house problems and warmed up for the defense of its domestic title with a creditable 1-1 draw against a depleted US Major League Soccer champions line-up of LA Galaxy in their final Group D match of the 2015/2016 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League on Wednesday night.
Playing in front of a surprisingly large crowd at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, Central FC took a third minute lead through Willis Plaza, but with eight minutes left in the match, LA Galaxy, minus its star quartet of Ireland and former Tottenham forward Robbie Keane, former England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, former Barcelona forward Giovani Dos Santos of Mexico and Brazilian midfielder Juninho, salvaged a draw when US international Alan Gordon grabbed an equaliser.
The point pushed LA Galaxy to seven points from three matches, three more than Central FC which has completed its four-match campaign, and four ahead of Guatemala's Comunicaciones which it faces on October 21 to qualify for the quarterfinals. Central, who were defeated 5-1 at Galaxy in the first-leg, led from as early when T&T international, Plaza, hammered a precise right footed strike into the bottom far corner of goalkeeper Brian Rowe's net after collecting a Marvin Oliver pass over the top just inside the right of the box.
LA Galaxy tested Central FC and T&T international goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams twice in the opening half, forcing the impressive custodian into saves in the 26th and 42nd minutes.
First, Williams parried away Mika Vayrynen's free-kick with a right-handed save, before he caught striker Edson Buddle's close-range strike.
Central FC then had an excellent opportunity to take a two-goal cushion into the dressing room at the break, however 18-year-old attacker, Nicholas Dillion, flopped in the six-yard area, with two unsuccessful swings of the leg, as Rowe stood at his mercy following a ball over the top by Plaza
On the resumption, Central FC continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges with Plaza firing high and wide of the first post on two occasions after being put through and it would come back to haunt the locals as Galaxy finally got the equaliser in the 82nd minute when second half substitute Jose Villarreal centered from the right side of the box to Gordon to fire past Williams net.
Three minutes later Plaza had an excellent opportunity to restore the "Couva Sharks" lead, but he dragged his effort wide of the far netting after collecting an Oliver pass and powering past two Galaxy defenders to enter the box. Second-half substitute Sean De Silva then had one last chance for Central a minute into stoppage time, but his long range free-kick from the left side skipped past Rowe and the net. In the end it was a point for each side as both coaches had reason to cheer.
Central will now turn their focus on their domestic league defence. The "Couva Sharks" must travel to face Point Fortin Civic from 6 pm at the Mahaica Oval on Saturday on their start of the 2015-2016 Digicel Pro League (DPL).
Results
Wednesday's Concacaf Champions League 2015/2016 results:
Group D: Central FC 1 (Willis Plaza 3rd) vs LA Galaxy 1 (Alan Gordon 82nd)
Teams
Central FC: 2.Elton John, 10.Marvin Oliver (Yellow Card 51st minute), 12.Jamal Jack, 14.Nicholas Dillon (Yellow Card 49th minute) (7.Jason Marcano 62nd minute), 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 17.Marcelle Francois, 21.Jan-Michael Williams (GK) (Capt.), 24.Kevon Villaroel, 33.Willis Plaza, 45.Ataulla Guerra (24.Mickaeel Jem Gordon 85th minute), 99.Marcus Joseph (8.Sean de Silva 82nd minute).
LA Galaxy: 3.Mika Vayrynen (40.Raul Mendiola 69th minute), 6.Baggio Husidic (36.Oscar Sorto 14th minute), 9.Allan Gordon (Capt.), 12.Brian Rowe (GK), 15.Ignacio Maganto (5.Jose Villarreal 58th minute), 16.Edson Buddle, 21.Tommy Meyer, 25.Rafael Garcia, 27.David Romney, 33.Dan Gargan, 34.Kenney Walker
Standings?
?Teams P W D L F A Pts
LA Galaxy 3 2 1 0 11 2 7
Central FC 4 1 1 2 3 7 4
Comunicaciones 3 1 0 2 1 6 3