The LA Galaxy lost to Real Salt Lake last night in a battle of the two teams with the worst records in MLS. A stong Labor Day weekend crowd showed up to the Home Depot Center for a game that pitted two teams with the worst records in MLS.
David Beckham obviously did not play out with a knee injury but attended with his two young boys and watched from a private suite.
The Galaxy were the better team in the first half and had alot of success down the right side with Chris Klein and Landon Donovan. The problem is LA could only produce one goal, an Alan Gordon header in the first half despite playing the better soccer.
In the second half the Galaxy got a golden chance to take a 2-0 lead but Nick Rimando saved a Landon Donovan pk to keep RSL in the game. The play would prove pivotal on the night.
After coming in during the second half Cobi Jones hit the crossbar but on the ensuing counter attack Robbie Findley got in behind the LA defense and Mike Randolph to tie the score.
Ultimately Eddie Pope in his final season in MLS provided the game winner for RSL who won for only the fourth time and the first time on the road.
A couple of thoughts:
*David Beckham parked his black Escalade right near our HDNET truck, the car has embroidered #23 on the seats plus a large medallion on the grill with the number 23 and impressive rims if you like that kind of thing.
*LA strikers are poor. Alan Gordon, Carlos Pavon just can’t get it done although I credit Gordon for at least putting in an effort. Pavon turns out to be a poor signing and is a grand disapointment . The kind of foreign player that doesn’t need to be in MLS. No movement, no mobility and effort.
*Nick Rimando was an example of a goalkeeper winning a game for a team on the road. Some excellent shot stopping .
* RSL had a hard time managing the game out but ultimately got it done. They have won two games in a row now over KC and the Galaxy.
*The Galaxy miss Chris Albright in a big way.
Injuries, poor signings, underperforming players and an overabundance of mediocre players who have mediocre desire have hurt. One has to feel for Frank Yallop. So who is accountable?