Galaxy dominate Herediano, move on to CCL semifinals

The Los Angeles Galaxy celebrate Omar Gonzalez's opening goal in their 4-1 win over Costa Rican side Herediano Wednesday night.

Kevin Kuo/US Presswire

CARSON, Calif. (AP) Omar Gonzalez, Jose Villarreal, Robbie Keane and Jack McBean scored and the Los Angeles Galaxy advanced to the CONCACAF Champions League final four for the first time by beating visiting Herediano 4-1 Wednesday.

Gonzalez headed home a corner kick in the 18th minute, Villarreal held off two defenders to curl home a fine shot from 22 yards in the 69th.

"It's a good win," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "It was going to be a hard game, and they were a good opponent.

"The first half if our passing was a little better, I think we produce another goal. Second half got a little bit better. Obviously, Jose scored a great goal, Robbie scored a great goal for the third goal. It's being a little sharper around the penalty area."

Keane added another from a tight angle in the 83rd and McBean scored in stoppage time as the Galaxy got a 4-1 aggregate victory over their Costa Rican opponent and advanced to the semifinals.

"That was very important," said Keane, the Galaxy captain. "And I think once we had that second goal, we killed them off. ... I don't think (Herediano) were brilliant, to be honest. They didn't look like they were going to score. It was quite a comfortable performance."

Los Angeles will play Mexico's Monterrey, the two-time defending tournament champion, in early April. The Seattle Sounders face Mexico's Santos Laguna in the other semifinal.

The teams had a 0-0 draw in the first leg last week in Heredia, Costa Rica.

Elias Aguilar scored in the 85th minute for Herediano.

"We have potential to be good," said Herediano technical director Marvin Solano, who has been on the job for about three weeks. "But we're not up to the tactical quality of the L.A. Galaxy for a tournament of this size."

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