Galaxy fall to Scottish giants Rangers

CARSON, Calif. -- Kris Boyd scored the game's only goal to lead Scotland's Rangers FC to a 1-0 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy in an international friendly Wednesday night at The Home Depot Center.

The game's lone goal came 10 minutes into the second half, and came through the Scottish Premiership's leading scorer from the just-concluded season. Rangers had controlled the run of play through the first half, but failed to do much with the ball. But the second half really opened up, as both sides traded good scoring opportunities.

The game definitely took on the feel of a friendly as very few hard challenges or rash tackles were present in the early going. The two sides took a little while to feel each other out, but it was Rangers who enjoyed the better of the possession. The Galaxy's starting 11 was comprised mainly of reserves and did a good job of keeping their Scottish guests at bay. The first good scoring chance came in the 10th minute after Rangers earned a corner kick. Charlie Adam worked himself free of his marker and from about eight yards won a free header. Adam's header lacked accuracy, though, and his effort flew harmlessly wide of the post.

The Galaxy came close after a defensive miscue allowed Santino Quaranta to run past two defenders and streak in alone chasing a loose ball. Quaranta barely got to the ball before a hard charging Allan McGregor, but could only manage a lunging effort that banged right into the legs of the goalkeeper.

Chris Burke proved to be dangerous on the right flank for Rangers, and in the 36th minute he beat Galaxy left back Ante Jazic, cutting the ball back across the top edge of the penalty area. Burke shot when he reached the restraining arc, but his left-footed effort left a lot to be desired, and Galaxy 'keeper Cronin easily scooped the ball up.

The chance of the half fell in favor of the home side. Quaranta tried to pick out young Nathan Sturgis, who was streaking up the center channel, but the ball was just a bit too far out in front of him, and he was able only to toe poke it into the arms of McGregor.

Just like the first half, it took about 10 minutes for either team to find their way in the second stanza, and this time it resulted in the opening goal for Rangers. Alan Hutton sent a ball in along the ground and Boyd banged the ball into the back of the net from the top of the six-yard box.

The Galaxy tried to strike back in the 62nd minute. Sturgis found Cobi Jones on the right flank with a long ball out of the midfield. The MLS original settled the ball, cut into the center and teed up a left footed drive, but instead his effort veered well wide of the target.

Second-half substitute Alan Gow forced a good save out of Cronin in the 65th minute. Gow collected the ball in midfield and dribbled in uncontested, launching a shot from 25 yards, but Cronin got down to make the save.

Sturgis forced the best save of the match from McGregor in the 68th minute. Los Angeles earned a corner kick, and when the Rangers defense failed to clear the ball, Sturgis latched onto the ball and ripped a volley towards the near post, forcing a great reaction save from the Rangers 'keeper.

On the counter, Rangers midfielder Burke was picking up where he left off in the first half, wriggling himself free inside the area. From a sharp angle inside the penalty area, Burke pounded a shot towards goal, forcing Cronin to punch the ball clear.

Rangers had a golden opportunity to put the game out of reach when Gow picked out Boyd with a great through pass. Boyd outraced Ty Harden to the ball and went in alone on Cronin. But the L.A. netminder charged hard off his line to cut down the angle, forcing Boyd to shoot wide.

Immediately after that, the Galaxy were back on the attack. As Los Angeles broke into the Rangers end, Landon Donovan laid the ball back for Nate Jaqua with a deft little heel flick. Jaqua battled through two defenders before banging a shot off the 'keeper and out for a corner.

The Galaxy had a chance to equalize in the dying moments of the game. Quaranta found Donovan with a long cross from the right flank. Donovan brought the ball down inside the area, but scooped his shot high over the crossbar from eight yards out.

The game ended without incident the rest of the way as Rangers closed up shop and held on for the win. The Galaxy return to league play this weekend when they take on the Colorado Rapids at their new Dick's Sporting Goods Park home.

Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.