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?
September 2, 2007
Galaxy can’t catch a break
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MLS hasn\’t helped with the heavy second half schedule, though I really can\’t blame them as they recognised that they had a small window to fill stadiums. However, Lalas has the most to answer for. Based on his previous managerial track-record along with how all this season\’s trades are panning out.
I have never understood why AEG put this guy in charge of one of the league\’s stronger assets. It\’s not like there\’s a shortage of decent GM\’s in the league that know how to build teams.
Somewhere, Steve Sampson is laughing.
Comment by J — September 2, 2007 @ 9:28 am
Who is responsible? The same person that has nothing but a history of losing with teams he’s been in charge of. Think San Jose, Metrostars and now LA. Two words for you: Alexi Lalas. No patience, no scouting ability, no common sense. He was a great player that has done this sport a lot of good ON the field. But AEG needs to smarten up and fall out of love with his image as a GM. Yallop should be spared, Lalas should be gone.
Comment by Simon — September 2, 2007 @ 9:59 am
Simon is right - start the healing by getting rid of Lalas. Make it part of a more extensive strategy for success though. The Guardian is reporting a rumor that Becks is interested in being loaned back to an EPL team. On another note, Dallas layed an egg in another big game last night. Slouching to the end of the season - have I seen this before?
Comment by Alex — September 2, 2007 @ 10:07 am
I’m in agreement with Alex and Simon: I think Alexi is definitely the culprit.
Having said that, as a Dynamo supporter I hope that Yallop is let go and is picked up by San Jose. That’ll ensure Dom Kinnear doesn’t head back to the left coast. Despite our recent penchant for ties at home and losses to poor teams, I like everything about Dom: the players he picks up, the tactics he employs, his candidness (and discretion when appropriate) in interviews, and the team philosophy he establishes. That last point is the most important, because it covers so much ground. He is a franchise builder and is what we need at the heart of our club.
That and a stadium.
The most unfortunate thing about the Galaxy dropping to last place is that we still play them twice. Since we seem to get results versus strong teams and can’t seal the deal with the mediocre, we might be out the 6 points we would get if we were playing anyone other than the Gals.
Comment by m@ — September 2, 2007 @ 11:47 am
Lalas is responsible. I know $2 million isn\’t a lot to put together a world class team in professional \’football\’, but there are others in this league, such as Chivas, DC United and a host of others, who are fielding very competitive teams under the same budget ceiling. I truly hope we never see him in an MLS front office ever again..
Comment by Marco — September 3, 2007 @ 12:40 pm