New York Red Bulls 1 Galaxy 3
Highlights:
Red Bulls Coach Juan Carlos Osorio should be fired for that wretched performance.
Does he feel embarrassed?
“Yes I do. Yes. I feel sorry. I apologize to the fans. Certainly the scoreline says that. Three-nil. We could at least have scored a goal (in the first half). At that particular time, my responsibilities are more than that. It’s just not feeling embarrassed. It’s trying to get back in the game and compete. And see if we can score and we did. And, we could have scored a second and it would have looked better that it was.”
On the other hand, the Galaxy (6-3-9) did exactly what they should do: quash the worst team (2-14-4) in MLS with their most emphatic victory of the season at a time when criticism of David Beckham hasn’t been this intense since he was sent off against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup. The first goal came in just the third minute; all came before the break. This was only half a game, but then, that was all the Galaxy needed.
The Galaxy have now pulled even with Chivas USA in the Western Conference..
Galaxy lineup – Donovan Ricketts, A.J. DeLaGarza, Gregg Berhalter, Omar Gonzalez, Todd Dunivant, Eddie Lewis (Chris Klein 85), David Beckham (Christopher Birchall 70), Stefani Miglioranzi, Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle, Alecko Eskandarian (Mike Magee 74).
AP Photos
Random observations:
*Three MLS Goal of the Week candidates from Alecko Eskandarian, (that’s two goals in three Galaxy games now and it was done in front of family and friends; the big grin on the bench after he was subbed said it all) Landon Donovan and Eddie Lewis. You kids at home should note the strength of each shot came not from how hard it was hit, but the way it was hit. Sweet touches all.
*David Beckham had a quietly effective game. Good to see him getting booed. For one thing, it will motivate him; for another he deserves it. And was that Beckham clapping in the Red Bulls fans’ direction as he was subbed while they chanted a farewell with a naughty word and collectively extending their middle fingers? Good for him.
*Donovan Ricketts turned in yet another sparkling performance, notably on the stoppage time penalty kick. He is not just perceptive in his positioning, but intelligent and judicious in the balls he attempts to play (covering, yet not making an unnecessarily spectacular save on a shot that would have conceded a corner in the first half, was an example of his excellent decision-making).
*The Galaxy have depth! New signing Chris Burchall, Chris Klein and Mike Magee all came on as subs.
“This is a good squad of players,” a shirtless David Beckham told Fox Soccer Channel as a (similarly jerseyless) Landon Donovan looked on after the game. “Not just the starting XI, but there’s players that can come on and make an impact. When you’ve got players like that and when you’ve got players like Landon and Edson up front and other players we’ve got that can break through it makes a difference.”
Landon Donovan was making nice, too:
“I said last week not many teams get back a world-class player like that in the middle of the season. We knew David was going to help us. We got away from what we weren’t good at doing, which was talking and what we are good at doing, which is playing – so it was nice to be playing.”
*Omar Gonzalez continues to grow as a defender; did you notice his play during the game? Me neither. That’s the mark of an effective defender.
Tweeted Jozy Altidore at around 8:45 p.m.
“Finally back in florida about to home and sleep…what’s wrong with my red bulls??? Thanks for the love and support people! Night.”
Last word to Beckham:
“I’ve had a lot more boos before in games, a few tonight, but it’s to be expected. It’s sometimes nice to get the boos. It gives you some inspiration, especially when we play like we did and win like we did. Then the boos start to go away after a while.”
Here are some of Grant Wahl’s post-game thoughts on his blog.
What are yours?
