Galaxy-Union wrap
Galaxy 3 Union 1
Hot-shot Edson Buddle: nine goals in six games - and counting (AP Photos).
Phil Collin filed the game story.
The Galaxy were in control of this one from the outset and the red card in the first half for the Union pretty much sealed this one well before the final whistle.
Landon Donovan and the Galaxy left the Union in their wake Saturday.
Edson Buddle is looking like an international class striker in full command of his powers, unbelievably peaking at just the right moment for his career and perhaps for his country.
In some respects this was a contained Galaxy performance again showing a quiet efficiency that is becoming a hallmark of the season punctuated by moments of power and speed.
Landon Donovan had a relatively quiet time in midfield early on observed one colleague, yet swept by a trio of Union players en route to creating Buddle's second as if to illustrate the difference in class and experience.
UCLA product Michael Stephens upped his performance from his debut, this time claiming two assists and working diligently in midfield.
I barely noticed Gregg Berhalter, which is just what you want to see - or not see - from a 30-something central defender.
A.J. DeLaGarza deserved his first Galaxy goal of the season and often looked good going forward.
Alan Gordon's diving header from the set piece that led to Buddle's first goal showed exactly the attributes he must exploit more to maximize his offensive productivity.
Omar Gonzalez was again largely excellent, with the exception of getting caught in possession in the second half, a lazy lapse the Union punished by scoring their consolation goal from the turn-over.
Here's more from A.J. DeLaGarza:
Notable: Clint Mathis played his first game in a Galaxy uniform since 2000 when he came on Saturday night as a second half sub.
Quotable: "Maybe his best play was an assist," said Bruce Arena of Edson Buddle's evening.
Galaxy lineup: Donovan Ricketts; Todd Dunivant, Gregg Berhalter, Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza; Chris Birchall, Landon Donovan, Juninho (Alex Cazumba 62'), Michael Stephens; Alan Gordon (Clint Mathis 70'), Edson Buddle (Tristan Bowen 74').
Next: at Colorado Wednesday and Seattle Saturday.
Updated:
Kyle Nakazawa, who grew up in Palos Verdes Estates and played at UCLA and was given his MLS debut Saturday, produced perhaps Philly's best attacking moment up until that point with a blistering second half free kick and then promptly got himself his inaugural MLS yellow card.
Coach Peter Nowak said it was his intention to start Nakazawa Tuesday in their U.S. Open Cup tie and again Saturday against the Galaxy, but he got sick earlier in the week.
Still, Nowak likes what he sees:
"Kyle is progressing well. ... He's got bite. Physically he's very mature. He sees the plays. He sees the openings. He's got a good shot. The package is there."
I talked to Nakazawa in the locker room after the game to see how he's adjusting to the East Coast lifestyle. (Annoyingly, the batteries ran out on my digital recorder and I lost the recording).
Kyle (who hasn't tried a Philly cheesestake sandwich yet) shares a place with former UCLA goalkeeper Brian Perk and Sebastien Le Toux, , said the biggest thing he misses is - the Pacific Ocean.
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
"When you're hot, you're hot. When you're not, you're not" sang someone once.
Buddle is on fire but his short game was woeful again last night. He seldom connects with his one time touches and flip passes.
"Contained" well describes the Galaxy play last night.
The theorey in the stands is that Donovan is pacing himself for the World Cup which makes a lot of sense since he hasn't really stopped playing in 2 years. He has been ill as well but he sure was fiesty at times during the game. It was a hard tackle by him that won the ball for the Galaxy in the middle which led to his assist to Buddle. He set the tone for a very physical play in the Houston game as well with a hard retaliatory tackle on Cameron.
You all don't give much love to Birchall for his tireless and hard work in the middle. His is like a tank and has made us forget Dema. Wish his low line drive had not been so well saved by Seitz, a rarity in itself.
Comic relief was provided by Alex Cazumba. Very entertaining series of misplays when he came in. Ought to drop the Cazumba from his shirt and just go with Alex. That might help bring the Brasil out in him.
Should have been a blowout to rival that Dallas match at the Rose Bowl. Instead, they took their foot off the gas ...
Agree with studs on Birchall he really is looking like solid MLS player. Michael Stephens was great too, his work rate is incredible and he made a couple of very nice passes. I'm concerned that Mathis will get red carded a lot for his Paul Scholes type tackles, but i like him on the bench.
The Donavon saving himself comment makes total sense, he definatly has looked a shadow of his last years self.
I hate to say it but i'm still concerned about Buddle, he was horrible last year, and is a total suprise to me this year. It will be awesome if he keeps it up, i would say that most of his goals have been very well taken. Maybe last year was the anomoly.
The idea of Buddle on the USMNT makes me nervous, too. You can't argue with the goals or how he has created them: his first touch, vision, imagination and finishing have been great.
But that assist to AJDLG was a big surprise for me, because I haven't seen Buddle doing well distributing the ball or making things work well with others in the final third. To be useful in the World Cup, he'd need to do a lot more than receive the ball and shoot it.
OT: Alan Gordon gets a lot of credit from me for that header. It was dead-on and hard, and the Philly goalie couldn't handle it. The rebound is what enabled Buddle's first goal. I'm usually a critic of Gordon, but he gets props for that.
Biggest problem with Buddle is inadequate play with his back to the goal. When he has the ball facing the goal he is at his best. Decent control, good dribbler for his size and very good striker of the ball. If he could improve his upper body strength and turn diffenders like Ching can then he will be a lot more effective in drawing fouls and pickin up cutters around him. He lags Ching in the arial game as well but overall he is a lot better "soccer" player than him.
Poor Flash Gordon, gotta love a guy who takes on so much abuse for the team. Not blessed with any speed but huge, huge heart. I'm thinking Bruce started him to draw some of the physical attention away from Edson.
Note to Green: Did Buddle's dad play pro ball here? I can only recall a Steve BuTTle with the NASL Seattle Sounders but he was a very ugly white dude from your old island nation.
To me Mathis is the best American born player ever. Yes, including Landon who concedes his is the best. Galaxy's offense looked purposeful when he came and set up Donovan for his shot that hit the cross bar. He has calmed down a lot sine becoming a family man but love his passion still. He was riding the ref all the way down the field after being called for a handball.
I keep saying he is the American Paul Gascoine (spl) but I am sure he will not end up like him. The worst part of Mathis' game is his lame goal celebration, only slightly better than DeRo's.
Just when the Galaxy are finally playing good ball to watch....they bring in Alan Gordon. How is this guy still in MLS??? This is what keeps the hardcore football fan from taking LA seriously.
"Just when the Galaxy are finally playing good ball to watch....they bring in Alan Gordon. How is this guy still in MLS??? This is what keeps the hardcore football fan from taking LA seriously."
What does this hardcore football suggest as a remedy?