Despite having no less than three quality opportunities to snatch a winner in the second half, D.C. United had to settle for a 0-0 draw Friday night against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Having missed a golden chance to put the visitors ahead in the first half, United forward Josh Wolff fluffed his lines again in the 63rd minute. A throw-in from the left touchline by Chris Pontius managed to elude two Galaxy defenders in the penalty area before dropping at Wolff's feet. Unfortunately, the forward's shot off the outside of his right foot veered into the side netting.
Charlie Davies was subbed on in the 66th minute, earning his first game action since the May 14 game against Colorado, and he nearly became a hero in the 81st minute. With the Galaxy pressing for a winner of their own, Wolff received the initial pass of a counter-attack, and sent Davies away with a lovely through-ball from the halfway line. Davies had gotten inside Omar Gonzalez, and appeared to be in clear on Josh Saunders, but the Galaxy defender recovered enough to get in a brilliant challenge on Davies, which forced the forward to go wide of the charging Saunders. Unable to get his body square again, Davies screwed his right-footed attempt well wide of the net.
United had one more chance for a late winner when a loose ball fell to Andy Najar on the left side of the penalty area, but the Honduran's shot was parried by Saunders, who dove low and to the right to keep the game goalless.
D.C. United return home to host the San Jose Earthquakes next Saturday, June 11 at RFK Stadium. Kick-off is at 7:30.