A Turning Point for the Galaxy’s Season?

Chicago Fire 0 Galaxy 2
i-663884e1b8bdd2c32310b3f4004c5a6f-galfire.jpgThe Galaxy’s Mike Magee is denied by Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch. (AP Photo).

Games like these can change the direction of a season.

The Galaxy (8-4-10) got better as the game wore on, the 9-5-8 Fire worse at a sold out Toyota Park.

The result was a Galaxy away victory; they’re now second in the Western Conference although Seattle can retake the automatic playoff spot with a win Thursday over New England.

The Galaxy were in total control of this game; Chicago – on an off night – barely got a glimpse of goal.

Even better were the inventive and measured moves offensively (since when did Mike Magee and Jovan Kirovski become a fluid attacking duo?), Landon Donovan’s return to a rapacious mood and the defensive solidarity of A.J. DeLaGarza and Omar Gonzalez that managed to compensate for Gregg Berhalter’s hesitance.

Some of the slickest moves on the season were on display tonight combined with a methodical take down of the opponent.

Said Alecko Eskandarian on his Facebook page: “Huuuuuuuge win for us tonight.”

Yup.

And Eddie Lewis and David Beckham return from suspension for Saturday’s game against D.C. United.

Game story.

Quotable:

“Tonight was not our best night all around,” said Fire Coach Dennis Hamlett. “For whatever reason – big game, big crowd – we weren’t sharp from the get go. There was no sense of urgency. There’s some credit to LA – they came in and were well organized. They got behind the ball and waited for us to make mistakes.”

Galaxy XI: Donovan Ricketts (Josh Saunders 85), Todd Dunivant, Gregg Berhalter, A.J. DeLaGarza, Omar Gonzalez, Dema Kovalenko (Chris Klein 46), Landon Donovan, Chris Birchall (Tony Sanneh 68), Stefani Miglioranzi, Mike Magee, Jovan Kirovski.

Rolling Hills Estates’ John Thorrington played the full 90 for the Fire.

MLS standings.

What deficiencies or strengths did you see in the Galaxy? Is this reality or a false dawn?

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