Excuse me while I try not to cry into my Galaxy coffee mug while writing this, it’s been a tough week to be a soccer fan. With my Galaxy getting beat twice in one week and the US women causing several coronaries on the way to a PK loss in the Women’s World Cup, I think I’m allowed some tears. Anyway, let’s catch up on everything going on over the last week or so with LA.
US Oopsy Cup – After getting a decent result against Chicago last weekend, the Galaxy lined up a pretty decent roster for the US Open Cup quarterfinals against Seattle on Wed. What they didn’t get was a decent result, losing 3-1 at Starfire Complex. The Galaxy always looked to be on their toes from the opening whistle, giving up the first goal to Nate Jaqua in the 4th minute and another goal to Fredy Montero in the 25th minute. Montero’s goal was created by a mistake by Aj DeLaGarza on a back pass that went awry. Adam Cristman did pull one back before halftime for the G’s but the dagger was stuck in the hearts of Galaxy fans in the 74th minute when Chris Birchall gifted another ball to the Sounders and Lamar Neagle sealed the deal. Any chances of a comeback were also dashed when Bruce Arena subbed out Juninho and Landon Donovan in quick secession to effectively kill off the game. Another disappointing US Open Cup result for the Galaxy in a year where I thought we had a deep enough squad to at least make the semifinals. Eh, C’est La Vie…
Friendly Fire – The Galaxy played La Liga giants Real Madrid on Saturday and they’re no way around it…we got thoroughly crushed. The game ended 4-1 with the lone goal again being scored by Adam Cristman in the 67th minute. Madrid dominated possession and chances as expected while the Galaxy struggled to create even with a starting lineup that could be put on an MLS field. There will be one more chance for the Galaxy to compete for the World Football Challenge crown, this Sunday vs EPL side Manchester City at the HDC
Men down – From the LA Galaxy website: OUT: DF Sean Alvarado (R knee surgery); DF Leonardo (R knee surgery); GK Donovan Ricketts (L ulna fracture); QUESTIONABLE: FW Chad Barrett (R knee sprain); MF David Beckham (back spasms); DF Sean Franklin (L hamstring strain); DF Omar Gonzalez (nose fracture); DF Frankie Hejduk (R ankle inflammation); FW Mike Magee (R hamstring tightness). Other than the known Outs (Alvarado and Leonardo have been out pretty much all season), that’s a lot of new blood on the Injury list over the last 2-3 weeks. While Beckham is probably likely to play, at least 2 starting defenders and 2 strikers are out. Add to this Magee and possibly Adam Cristman, who was pulled early during the Madrid friendly. We need horse placenta and plenty of it fast…
A Galaxy of All Stars – The gameday roster for the 2011 All-star game came out on Monday and 4 of a possible 5 Galaxy players were selected. Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, David Beckham, and Landon Donovan were all selected to the roster. In this blogger’s opinion, I would have loved to see Todd Dunivant get a call up as well. His solid-as-a-rock defense has steadied the back line all year and it’s a shame he wasn’t among the 5 players eligible for selection.
(image courtesy of Robert Mora/LA Galaxy)
