Preview

Before the game the LA Galaxy had won 5 games in a row and were undefeated in their last 6 games. To qualify for the MLS Play-offs they had to win both games or get 4 points from the last two games and in the second case hope that other results went in their favour. As for New York they had already qualified for the MLS Play-Offs. Beckham began on the bench and Juan Pablo Angel arrivied determined to become MLS Leading scorer. This was also Cobi Jones last game at the Home Depot Centre

The Match

The match began fairly slowly with neither side able to create any clear cut chances. However suddenly things exploded into life on 14 minutes Landon Donovan recieved the ball on the edge of the box, He’d been in top form over the last few weeks and he delivered an inch perfect cross into the box which Troy Roberts was able to head home. It was a world class cross by Donovan and the Galaxy had the lead!

However a minute later New York had equalized a cross into the box was headed home by the unmarked Jozy Altidore. This boy is special, He is a fantastic player and you’ll have a tough job stopping him to score when he is marked so when he isn’t marked you’re pretty much asking him to score and he did by heading it into the corner. Boo’s rang around the stadium. It was awful marking.

We kept on pushing Donovan fired wide and then he set up Chris Klein for a mazy run which ended in a save by Jon Conway. I remembered being in New York for the 5-4 defeat to New York and Angel recieved the ball in the box but instead of firing straight away he took time to control the ball and take it past Troy Roberts and in the end ended up firing miles over the bar to a chorus of relieved “Ways” from the LA Galaxy fans.

Second Half

At half time I was convinced we’d win. We’d had the better of the chances plus Beckham was still to appear and Donovan was controlling the game from the midfield while Cobi Jones in his last game at the Home Depot Centre was doing well. However the second half began with Angel being denied by a Troy Roberts block and he also went close with a free kick which went wide. From where I was I thought it was in so I had a mini heart attack.

It had been all New York for the first 20 minutes but Chris Klein who has been fantastic in the last few weeks crossed for Peter Vagenas and his header was saved by Jon Conway and the next thing that happened was the introduction of David Beckham. Yes Beckham was back, Surely he could unlock the New York defence with his amazing skill from set pieces he got a massive cheer from the ground as he came on.

Beckham showed off his set pieces skill with a short corner to Tudula and his shot although not powerful forced a save from Jon Conway as he saw it late through the mass bodies in the box but after that it was New York who looked more like scoring. LA Galaxy attacked and attacked and it nearly cost them when Jozy Altidore fired narrowly over the bar on the 80th minute and then he went even closer in the 91st when his pace had got him behind the defence but his shot went so narrowly wide to keep LA Galaxy’s Play-off hopes live.

Verdict

Well now to qualify we need to beat Chicago on Sunday and hope that F.C Dallas beat Kansas City. Beckham is likely to start and he will be 100% fit by Sunday. A draw isn’t what we wanted but we can still qualify and it’s been a great effort by the boys. We’ve won 5 of our last 7 games and we’ve drawn the other two games. Cobi Jones got a hero’s send off at the end he is a true legend to us Galaxy fans and we wish him the best in retirement.

As for New York, Angel missed a couple of half chances to enhance his chances of becoming Top Scorer but he has another game to try and grab two goals and hope that’s enough. Jozy Altidore was amazing he should really be playing for the U.S National team and not the U-21′s. He is a really fantastic talent. This result means little to New York as they’ve already qualified.

Full Time Score: LA Galaxy 1-1 New York Red Bulls

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