And those words are: Dominant. Simply dominant.
Three games in eight days. One at home, one at altitude in Colorado, one in front of the largest
home crowd in MLS. Three games, one result: win-win-win. The best Galaxy team since 2002 has staked
its claim on the entire league and no one looks interested in responding.
Saturday at 4:30 on FSW the LA Galaxy travel to Columbus Crew stadium to take on the Crew in a
showdown of the two best teams through the first third of the MLS season. You can watch it on TV or
you can follow along with the liveblog that Jen will be moderating.
The Galaxy bring their 8-0-2 record in to face Columbus' 6-0-2 mark in the toughest challenge
the team has faced all year.
AJ DeLaGarza's first goal of the year (making him the Galaxy's second leading scorer with his
second career goal) is up for Goal of the Week in MLS this week. He's up against some pretty nice
goals, including wonder strikes from Andy Williams of Real Salt Lake and Chris Wondolowski of San
Jose, but you'd be hard pressed to find a nominee that came from better teamwork or a cleaner or
more incisive series of passes (sorry Chicago).
Although the closing minutes were nail-biting, the Galaxy came away from Wednesday night's match
in Colorado with a 1-0 win over the Rapids.
Before I share my thoughts, please click over to the MLS Stats page and take a look. You don't
have to look at the stats just scroll down and look at the photos.
(Photo by Robert Mora)
It's been a week since Jen or I updated this blog, for which we profusely apologize and blame
the World Cup and family vacations. It couldn't possibly be our own fault could it? No. Not in an
America ruled by reality TV.
In that week the Galaxy played no fewer than three games league matches at Toronto and home to
Seattle and a home tie with AC St.
A week or so ago, one of our readers hit us up with a private email on the rumor with nine
lives, the one that claims that Ronaldinho is definitely on his way to the LA
Galaxy and definitely during this transfer window – the one that officially opened today.
Specifically our confidante, who says he can't come out right and say how he exactly knows for
sure that the player in question will be in Galaxy uniform, lays it out like this:
"Ronaldinho will join the Galaxy in August.
UPDATE BELOW!
A week or so ago, one of our readers hit us up with a private email on the rumor with nine
lives, the one that claims that Ronaldinho is definitely on his way to the LA
Galaxy and definitely during this transfer window – the one that officially opened today.
So, on the heels of the Rumor That Won't Die Ronaldinho to LA Galaxy I got to
pondering the actual economics of such a move. Not the economics of paying a guy like Ronaldinho
and his gut the full amount of whatever it is the parties agree to, or even the relatively modest
transfer fee AC Milan are said to want for him (10 million Euros).
Totally copied promo pic from LA Galaxy official website
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FUTBOL!?!?!
Sorry. Couldn't resist. The overwhelming hype generated by the promotional engines of MLS, Red
Bull, and AEG for today's match-up between the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls swept me
away.
Omar Cummings scores Colorado's third goal in a picture that says everything about how the night
went for Los Angeles. (Getty Images)
30 minutes to build on, 60 minutes to forget.
For the opening 25 minutes, the Los Angeles Galaxy looked like a team that no one could beat.
They were quick to the ball, aggressive on offense, monsters on defense, playing a quick, crafty,
creative game that presented them with dangerous chance after dangerous chance, including a
just-offside gol from Edson Buddle in the 1st minute.
Philadelphia Union lost 3-1 to Los Angelex Galaxy on Saturday night, but it could have been
much, much worse.
Instead, it was only a little ugly. Three goals surrendered and a Stefani Miglioranzi red card by
halftime. Then a good response from the Union in the second half, capped by Jack McInerney's first
professional goal.
(Image by Alex Gallardo/AP)
And those words are: Confidence is contagious.
Last night's game was the most complete game the Galaxy has put together this year, a dominating
performance on both sides of the balls that thoroughly demoralized the struggling expansion side
from Philadelphia.
(Image by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images)
Once again I've been thwarted by the ass-tastic nature of the new MLS internet presence. This
time it is their new blackout policy for games streamed through their Match Day Live service. It
turns out that this year, unlike past years, they are blacking out all games played by local teams
if they are on any kind of TV at all.
(Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
And those words are: Best in MLS.
In today's edition of MLSSoccer.com's The Debate Team, Jared Borgetti, er,
Jason Saghini, Greg Lalas and Simon Borg got
into a knock-down drag-out over who is currently the best team in MLS, the Columbus Crew or the LA
Galaxy.
(Getty Images)
(I apologize for the tardiness of this posting. I had a computer meltdown so getting to a
spot where I could get this up was a challenge. But it is here now and just a day before the last
game before the WC2010 break.)
And that word is: Overwhelming.
12 games down, 32 points taken.
Folks, if you are missing your mid-week Galaxy fix, then the team's official website has the
cure. They'll be live streaming the US Open Cup match against Seattle tonight at 7 pm audio and
video.
So if you want to see the game from the Starfire Sports Complex, mosey on over to
www.lagalaxy.
It's all about Edson Buddle. I don't expect that Landon
Donovan will be in the 18 today or if he is to get the start (in fact, I'd be kind of
pissed if he plays since he really needs a break and this is a game where the Galaxy don't need
him). So it's up to Edson to amp up the Galaxy attack.
And those words are: What an embarrassment.
And I don't mean any disrespect to New England when I say that. I also considered my opening
words to be: "My Shalrie Joseph can beat up your midfield." Mark
Rogondino, writing for the LA Galaxy website, said he had reservations going into the game
because New England was coming off a 5-0 smack down at the hands of Real Salt Lake and would be
ready to redeem their pride in front of their home fans.
Becks leaps Tony Tchani in vain pursuit of offense (Photo by AFP)
And those words are: Defense wins championships.
The much-hyped Friday night match-up between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls
wasn't much of a game if you were a neutral futbol fan. If you were a Red Bulls fan, it was
great.
Edson Buddle races for the ball in Galaxy's 2-1 victory over Chivas USA. (Photo by Victor
Delcolongon)
More of that please.
Just when it looks like there's nothing new to write about with regards to the Galaxy's tactical
approach to a game (Kirovski _again_?, Not Cazumba!, Please put Donovan up top, etc.
Galaxy celebrates a goal against the Union from May.
Game number 28.
League leading team vs latest expansion outfit, eliminated from the playoffs.
Away at a stadium the home team has only lost twice in.
Supporter's Shield and home field advantage are on the line.
It is time to put up or shut up.
Edson Buddle and Sean Franklin celebrate Buddle first-half game-winning header
Get in, get out, get away with three points.
That was the story of last Thursday's match, which ended up resembling a bit of a smash-and-grab
run by the Los Angeles Galaxy as they descended on PPL Park in Chester, PA, the home of the
Philadelphia Union.
Confetti for an Edson Buddle goal earlier this year.
Getting it done.
I admit, I was nervous about the outcome of the game. Yes, the last time the Galaxy was in
Seattle they turned the Sounders in the to Refunders with a 4-0 spanking that was the epitome of
the first half of the season.
Rookie Michael Stephens looks to build on a solid rookie campaign heading into the MLS
offseason.
Folks,
I apologize for not being around to actually give some commentary, insight, and analysis of the
Galaxy's playoff run and disappointment in the Western Conference final. But why should actually
writing something end that drought?
