Los Angeles Galaxy hold serve against Club Tijuana, 1-0

Mar 12, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy fans react during Champions League match against Club Tijuana at StubHub Center. The Galaxy defeated Club Tijuana 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In the battle for all of California, the Los Angeles Galaxy hold serve at halftime. Bruce Arena’s Galaxy defeated Cesar Farias’s Club Tijuana on Wednesday night at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. by the score of 1-0 in the first leg of the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.

The second leg is scheduled for Mar. 18 at Estadio Caliente in Tijuana, Baja California. Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Plus.

Here are six things we learned, followed by player ratings, for the Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Club Tijuana.

1. Enter Sandman-er, Samuel

Samuel: ¡Hola, I’m Samuel!
Tijuana players: Who?
Samuel: I’m Samuel!
Tijuana players: Who?
Samuel: I’m Samuel!
Tijuana players: Who?
Samuel: *scores goal*
Tijuana players: Oh.

Here’s the Billion Mexican Peso question, complete with drumroll. How do you introduce yourself to a team who has no idea who you are? The answer…wait for it…is this.

You score match-winners on them.
Thank you for playing.

Moving right along, in the 11th minute, Samuel opened his scoring account for the Los Angeles Galaxy off a sequence initiated by two old standbys. One goes by the name of Robbie Keane, the other goes by the name of Marcelo Sarvas.

That’s Brazilliance. That’s Samuel. That’s a first-leg victory to the Galaxy. But it wasn’t just him.

2. Jaime Penedo…delivers!

Omar Gonzalez nearly became the villain for the second-straight match. But in the 61st minute, Jaime Penedo made the save of the game, swatting what would have been an own goal and an important draw for Tijuana. Penedo’s three saves were huge, but he will need to do a whole lot more next week.

Actually, Penedo made five saves, but two of them were called back for offsides.

3. A tale of two halves

The Galaxy was the better team in the first half, but in the second half, Tijuana nearly turned the tables and they made some major chances. Statistically, Tijuana won a number of categories and that is attributed to the second half play from the Xolos.

4. Dario Benedetto’s injury woes a bother for Tijuana

Forced to be a super sub due to an infection, Dario Benedetto could have made a massive contribution for the Xolos. However, his health prevented him from starting. Had he been at full health, his play would have changed the complexion of his aggregate.

5. A quiet night for Herculez Gomez

Perhaps this was a calculated risk, but Herculez Gomez, a former LA Galaxy standout, played only 10 minutes and stoppage. According to the Opta Chalkboard, he had one shot off target that was headed. Perhaps Farias was saving him for Cruz Azul in Liga MX play, but he was a non-factor in the first leg of this tie.

6. Straightforward objectives for both teams

It’s straightforward for the Los Angeles Galaxy. They go through on a draw or a one-goal loss where they score via away goals. As for Tijuana, a two-goal win or better will see them through. There are a number of advantages for Tijuana: a Seattle-style playing surface (layman’s terms define this as artificial turf) and a distinct home-field advantage. We’re talking beer cups in the air and a certain Cartel de Santa tune being played over and over. Keep in mind that Tijuana is really a suburb of San Diego, so a lot of fans from the 619 will be packing the Caliente for this one.

All in all, this Battle for California and San Diego will be fittingly determined near San Diego. You don’t want to miss this. The MLS Multiplex has you covered, as always.