Photo by Sean Hiller
David Beckham tries an unsuccessful free kick.
Post-Game Quotes:
Chivas USA Coach Preki on the reason he was given for getting sent off: “Absolutely none.”
A press box colleague later observed a Chivas assistant coach told him Preki was sent off for giving a dismissive gesture related to what he thought was an erroneous offside call against Justin Braun just before Chivas USA conceded the equalizer. Oh.
I thought Sacha Kljesten was the player of the game. Preki is tougher to impress apparently:
“Sacha was OK. He started the game pretty good. He played disciplined. I thought he could have done even more and be more dangerous towards the goal.”
Galaxy Coach Ruud Gullit said changes are in the works:
“We are not where we want to be. But we are working very hard on it. We try to buy some players also for this team so we can add a little bit of football.”
On the contributions of Edson Buddle:
“What I like about Edson is he’s an example also. His work rate is unbelievable. He works hard chasing people, holding the ball, sharp and scoring goals. I think we are all very proud of him. And I think he’s ready to be selected by the national team.”
On the flow of the game:
“It was a crazy game. For coaches a terrible game. … The game went up and down and it’s not supposed to do that.”
On the alleged injuries to Abel Xavier (inflammation), Alvaro Pires, Sean Franklin (he really was injured) and Joe Franchino (thigh):
“All of a sudden I had people getting injured so therefore we had to improvise. … Maybe we have to go to Lourdes because suddenly everybody was falling like flies.”
On the loss of Cal State Northridge product Sean Franklin: “That was a huge loss for us because I think he’s been our best defender on the season.”
On the return of Pete Vagenas:
“We needed to have a little bit of football with someone who can hold the ball.”
David Beckham on why he makes erratic challenges on players (as he did on Atiba Harris in the first half) that could expose him to injury and whether coaches have ever told him that’s not his role:
“Coaches have probably given up with telling me not to make those kinds of challenges. … That red mist has been there throughout my career and it will be till I stop playing because I hate losing. It’s as simple as that. It’s not a malicious thing against any player. I never want to go into a challenge and hurt any player. It’s because I want to win the ball.”
Chivas USA Coach Preki on why Claudio Suarez didn’t play:
“It was a mutual agreement we play Claudio Sunday (in SuperLiga) because there is no way he can play tonight and Sunday. At this stage of his life and career we don’t want to kill him. We want to protect him as much as we can.”
