Galaxy Embarrassed, Chivas USA Fights for Playoffs

Galaxy midfielder fights off FC Dallas' Atiba Harris for a ball during last night's match at the Home Depot Center. Photo by AP.

While it was a breakout game for Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza, scoring two first half goals, there was little else for the Galaxy faithful to cheer about after a 6 - 3 thrashing courtesy of FC Dallas. L.A. was on its heels from the start, unable to contain the speed of Marvin Sanchez and Jeff Cunningham. The latter nearly opened the scoring at the 2nd minute but luck intervened and Cunningham missed. No matter, Dallas would open the scoring at the 7th minute on a deflected free kick.

Dallas' first goal foreshadowed the night as a whole. The visitors had earned the free kick after a hand ball by David Beckham just outside the Galaxy penalty box. Oddly enough, the infraction appeared rather accidental and occurred only seconds after the Galaxy had successfully defended a free kick from around the same location on the pitch.

Shortly after that, Dallas appeared to have committed a very similar infraction within their own penalty box. Referee Hilario Grajeda saw the play, but rather than calling for a penalty, he simply motioned for action to continue, thus denying the Galaxy a penalty kick.

Grajeda could have easily put on a Galaxy jersey given his equally poor performance on the night. On second thought, the numerous unforced errors and sloppy play by Beckham, Stefani Miglioranzi and Eddie Lewis outnumber Grajeda's faults. Their collective performance served as a reminder of a firmly held belief pertaining to the game in general: without a midfield, you don't have an offense. That point was certainly proven last night.

The lack of an effective midfield made it difficult for the Galaxy to transition from defense to offense which allowed Dallas to open up a 2 - 0 lead by the 25th minute. DeLaGarza's goals brought the teams even just before the break, but he suffered an injury while scoring his first goal and Tony Sanneh took his place in the second half. DeLaGarza was spared the embarrassment of participating in the second half.

The second half itself could have easily been played on just the Galaxy half of the pitch. L.A. was pinned in its own half for long stretches and when they did make it up the field, they couldn't find a way to penetrate the final third, except for a few occassions. Pressure on the Galaxy defense and 'keeper Donovan Ricketts was relentless and were it not for some heroic saves by Ricketts, the goal tally for the visitors could have easily gone up to 9 or 10. By the time the match reached the 90th minute, L.A. was down 6 - 2. Edson Buddle closed out the scoring when he headed in a corner kick seconds before then end of regulation for a final score of 6 - 3.