LA's David Beckham holds off RSL's Luis Gil (AP Images)So most of what us MLS fans have heard all through the preseason is about how the Galaxy were going to win everything there is to be won this year. Of course, those of us who aren't Galaxy fans were skeptical. I mean, if the Galaxy are just going to win it all, why bother watching? Well the product the Galaxy put on the field in the first two games (CCL against TFC and the MLS opener against RSL) might portend that the coronation of the Galaxy as an uberteam is a little premature.
Early on in the match against RSL, both teams held some possession, but it looked like RSL was a bit more keen to do something with it. Fabian Espindola gave the LA defense trouble all night long, and Paulo Jr made some nice runs as well.
It took about a half hour for the chances to start coming from either side, but when they did, they were quality. Landon Donovan cracked one off of the crossbar in the 28th minute. The ball then fell to Mike Magee, but Nick Rimando was up to the task and saved Magee's shot. At the other end of the pitch in the 31st minute Paulo Jr. forced a nice save out of Josh Saunders. The rebound went to RSL's Sebastian Velasquez, but the rookie put his shot wide.
Sarvas would crack the bar one more time for LA, this time in the 44th minute. Still, it didn't go in, and we went to the half still even at 0-0.
Both teams came to life more in the second half, but for the most part, RSL seemed to have an edge. Fabian Espindola continued to make a pest out of himself, having a shot saved in the 47th. At the other end, Robbie Keane started to zero in for the Galaxy, forcing a save out of Rimando in the 49th.
Finally the Galaxy edged out in front in the 71st minute. David Beckham sent a gorgeous early ball into the area for Edson Buddle. Buddle rose and headed the ball past Nick Rimando to give the Galaxy the 1-0 lead. At that point, the LA folks sat back and thought normal service had been resumed at the Home Depot Center.
Their relaxation didn't last long though. In the 73rd minute Velasquez sent a cross into the LA penalty area. The ball deflected off of LA defender Sean Franklin and into the net to equalize the match at 1-1, much to the delight of RSL's rat-tailed rookie.
Things quickly got worse for the Galaxy. Javier Morales and Alvaro Saborio checked in for RSL as the Claret and Cobalt went for the jugular. It didn't take long. Morales took a low centering pass from Ned Grabavoy in the 80th minute and slipped it by Saunders to give RSL the 1-2 lead. After that, Bruce Arena subbed out a defender, trying to force the equalizer. RSL made the Galaxy pay dearly for this quick fashion, as Espindola slipped the still regrouping defense and smacked a ball inside the far post to make 1-3 and seal up all three points for RSL.
This is where I'm supposed to give the Galaxy a pass and fawn all over them because they played TFC earlier in the week. Boohoo. If your team is so great, you should be able to play two matches in a week. Lets face it, LA didn't look all that great against TFC either. They have defensive issues. This will probably come more into play when they take on opponents like RSL, who have really good defenses of their own. I'm not claiming to be unbiased, but the Galaxy just seemed to want this one handed to them, and RSL didn't oblige. Sorry guys. They need more depth, and the tactical change by Bruce Arena cost them the third goal. They gave up a combined 5 goals in the first two matches, 3 at home. They need to get solid on defense. Oh, and the go ahead goal? Do you know why Morales came in unmarked? Because David Beckham was too busy bitching at the referee to play soccer. Beckham isn't even the captain. At one point he also tossed the ball away a good 30 yards in frustration, but was not given a yellow card. Sorry Galaxy, you're not really a global brand and you DO actually have to play the games.
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