Just two minutes into Saturday's match against the Houston Dynamo, it seemed as though the Galaxy were destined to repeat some of the mistakes from last Sunday or completely dismantle the Dynamo.

The Galaxy pieced together a beautiful sequence of one touch passes when the ball found its way to David Beckham on the right flank of the blue-and-gold attack. Beckham quickly found Alan Gordon who then touched it to Edson Buddle. Buddle then quickly passed to the streaking Landon Donovan at the top of the box. The crowd of 23,401 quickly came to life in anticipation of a goal, but Donovan's driving strike missed the Houston goal, wide right.

Buddle was one of two changes introduced into the Galaxy lineup, due to injuries to midfielder Alvaro Pires and Ely Allen. The other change was the insertion of defensive midfielder Josh Tudela. Both were making their first starts this season and it was also Tudela's first appearance this year. The remainder of the lineup remained the same as the prior two games.

Tactically, Gordon dropped back to midfield from his natural position up top as forward. Buddle and Donovan assumed the duties up top, while Tudela paired with Brandon McDonald in the middle, or better stated, in midfield. Tudela seemed to be playing out wide quite often and it was unclear whether he was out there replacing Ely or Alvaro. The natural assumption would be that he was in to fill the duties of Alvaro given that Gordon doesn't have any experience in that same role.

This mix up in the midfield proved to be the source of many problems for the Galaxy.

After the initial chance on goal, much of the remainder of the first half became a critical battle to control the midfield. The blue-and-gold consistently struggled to get out of their own half and the mediocre refereeing of Mark Geiger compounded matters for the blue-and-gold.

Insisting on working the ball through the left, the Dynamo consistently shut down and stalled the Galaxy attack. Had the blue-and-gold been able to switch the point of attack quicker, they may have been able to take advantage of right back Chris Klein and Beckham, both of whom were regularly open with space in front of them on the opposing side of the field. Fortunately for the Galaxy, the defensive four played a much more consistent game than last week and they were able to contain ensuing Dynamo attacks.

In the twenty fifth minute, Houston's pressure generated a golden opportunity to test Galaxy 'keeper Steve Cronin. Galaxy left back Mike Randolph attempted to shut down Houston's Brian Mullan who was closing in on the left of the Galaxy penalty area, but in the process committed a foul just outside the area. The Dynamo's Brad Davis, Dwayne De Rosario and Brian Mulrooney -- all excellent free kickers -- stepped to the ball, but in the end, it was Davis who hammered it towards the Galaxy goal. The well placed shot appeared to be headed in, but Cronin came up with a dramatic save, literally getting his fingertips on the ball causing it to hit the crossbar and stay out.

The battle for the midfield resumed, with Houston continuing to get the better part of it and few opportunities being generated by the Galaxy.

Mullan once again threatened in the thirty sixth minute, crossing a ball from the Dynamo right flank all the way across the Galaxy goal. Dynamo newcomer Franco Caraccio headed the ball back towards the middle where it took a bounce next to Dynamo forward Brian Ching. It appeared as though Ching was going to score, but he fanned on the shot and the ball bounced past him. Davis pounced on the ball and put it past a sprawling Cronin to open the scoring for Houston.

As the first half came to a close, it was evident that the Galaxy would need to make some changes to be more effective on the offensive side. Albeit, while the Galaxy was having their issues attacking, there was a certain air about them that gave the sensation that only minor tweaks were necessary and things would be fine in Galaxy land.

The first change came in the form of once again Galaxy Joe Franchino, who had been warming up since around the twenty eight minute. Franchino took Gordon's spot and one wonders if Galaxy head coach Ruud Gullit was looking to make a change earlier in the game, given the time at which Franchino started his warm up routine. If so, what kept him from doing so? Hmmm...

Tudela accompanied Gordon, making way for defensive veteran Abel Xavier. Houston on the other hand, did not make any changes at the half.

In addition to the personnel changes, Gullit also made some tactical changes. Rookie standout defender Sean Franklin shifted from right central defender to left back, and left back Mike Randolph moved up to left wing.

Franklin and Randolph lining up on the left had an immediate impact. Houston had a difficult time containing their speed and the Galaxy attack became more fluid. While they struggled to get out of their own half for the first forty five minutes of the game, the blue-and-gold was now able to quickly move into the Dynamo half and create opportunities on the offensive side.

Meanwhile, Franchino, noticeably a bit nervous and a little slow, paired with McDonald well enough to more effectively seal off the middle and contain De Rosario and Davis better than in the first half.

The fifty second minute produced one of the first opportunities which once again highlighted Beckham's skills and vision. Running onto a great long pass from deep within the Galaxy defensive end, Beckham quickly controlled and sent a pin point pass to the top of the box, where Buddle was making a run. Buddle immediately took a shot, but it wasn't potent enough to beat Dynamo 'keeper Tony Caig.

As the minutes ticked by, the Galaxy offense continued to produce chances. At times, the game was back and forth, with both teams threatening.

In the sixty seventh minute, Donovan put a ball into space for Beckham out wide on the right. Beckham pushed the attack forward and put a low bending cross into the Dynamo penalty area. Donovan, who had continued his run from where he dished off to Beckham, dove to get his head on the ball, beating his defender Patrick Ianni (who had taken Donovan out only but a few minutes beforehand), scoring a great goal and pulling the Galaxy even at 1.

While much of the play continued to be in the Galaxy's favor, Houston also produced some quality chances.

As the final fifteen minutes were winding down, Ching picked up a ball in the Galaxy penalty area that had bounced past McDonald. Ching found himself one-on-one against Franklin, only a few feet from the Galaxy goal. He maneuvered around Franklin sufficiently enough to take a shot, but his shot hit the cross bar and back. However, it came down about ten feet away from goal, with Cronin caught out of position. Caraccio beat Xavier to the rebound and netted the Dynamo's second goal at the seventy eight minute.

After taking the lead, Houston was bombarded by the Galaxy attack. Randolph and Franklin continuously moved the attack forward, using their speed almost at will on the left side. In the middle, Buddle helped the blue-and-gold retain possession up top and provide opportunities for Franchino and Donovan.

In the eighty fourth minute, Klein took possession on the right wing. Running at the Dynamo defense, he threaded a perfectly weighted ball between two Houston defenders to Beckham. Beckham equaled Klein's effort and put in an equally accurate and precise pass to Donovan who once again beat his defender to the ball. Caig did not have a chance on the shot and Donovan's goal brought the score even.

The dieing minutes demonstrated the Galaxy's new attitude this year. Once again they showed that they will not go away and give up when they are down. Further to this, they showed they have the ability to come back from behind and put themselves in a spot with a real opportunity for a win. Franklin almost capitalized as a result, combining with Randolph to split the Houston defense and creating a chance on goal for himself that resulted in a Galaxy corner kick.

It was such an exciting game by that time that I forgot to note exactly at which minute that occurred. Personally, I was hoping it would go in for him as that would have been a great reward for his great effort throughout the game and this season. He deserved it. Hopefully next time.

Lastly, a shout out to all the fans that came out to support the team. In particular, credit where credit is due, the LA Riot Squad (who also seem to have a slightly different feel this season) made for a great atmosphere and I am sure they'll have something special for next Saturday.

It wasn't a win, but the blue-and-gold showed resilience and style. They are showing they can be the top team in the league by season's end. This season is looking quite entertaining, so make sure you go out and catch a game!

Game highlights can be found here.

Photo by nathanf via Flickr