Saturday, May 31, 2008

Galaxy Shutout By Toronto FC, 2-0

LA Galaxy 0, Toronto FC 2
May 31, 2008
BMO Field – Toronto, Canada

Scoring Summary:
TFC – Julius James 1 (Rohan Ricketts 1) 49’
TFC – Jeff Cunningham 2 (Jarrod Smith 1) 65

Misconduct Summary:
TFC – Maurice Edu (caution; Professional Foul) 37’
TFC – Kevin Harmse (caution; Dissent) 54’
TFC – Jeff Cunningham (caution; Delaying a Restart) 65

Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Steve Cronin, Greg Vanney, Troy Roberts, Sean Franklin, Chris Klein©, Alvaro Pires, Brandon McDonald, Joe Franchino, Alan Gordon, Mike Randolph (Carlos Ruiz 67’), Edson Buddle.

Subs Not Used: Josh Wicks, Landon Donovan, Bryan Jordan, Josh Tudela, Julian Valentin, Peter Vagenas.

Toronto FC: Brian Edwards, Marco Velez, Jim Brennan©, Marvell Wynne, Olivier Tebily (Julius James 18’), Kevin Harmse, Maurice Edu, Rohan Ricketts, Todd Dunivant, Jarrod Smith (Nana Attakora-Gyan 87’), Jeff Cunningham.

Subs Not Used: David Monsalve, Pat Phelan, Tyler Rosenlund, Andrea Lombardo and Gabe Gala.

Notes:
• With the loss, the Galaxy’s record stands at 4-4-2 on the season, keeping them at 14 points and in first place in the Western Conference standings for the time being with the rest of this weekend’s matches yet to be played.
•For only the second time this season, the potent Galaxy offense has been shutout for the first time since an opening day loss to Colorado. It snaps an eight game scoring streak for the club.
•ALL-TIME (4 meetings): TFC 2 wins, 6 goals …Galaxy 1 win, 4 goals …Ties 1
AT TORONTO: (2 meeting): TFC 1 wins, 2 goals …Galaxy 0 win, 0 goals …Ties 1
• This is the second of two meetings between the clubs this season, as the Galaxy make their lone trip to Canada and BMO Field.
• The teams played to a scoreless draw in Ontario in their first-ever meeting last year, with the Galaxy winning 2-1 on Victoria Street in the penultimate weekend of the season.
• When the teams first met, it was the first MLS game with David Beckham on the LA Galaxy roster (he did not play). They played to a scoreless draw -- for TFC, the fourth game in their 10-match run without a goal in setting an all-time MLS goalless record. For LA, it was the first of three successive shutouts, which came to an end in Beckham's first start in a wild 5-4 loss to New York.
• Coaches record: John Carver v LA: P2 W2 L0 D0 … Ruud Gullit vs. TOR: P2 W0 L2 D0
• Chris Klein made the 95th consecutive start of his MLS career, surpassing Kevin Hartman for the most consecutive starts in MLS history. The last time that Klein did not start an MLS game for his club was on June 4, 2005 when he missed a game through injury as a member of the Kansas City Wizards. Hartman had originally set the record as a member of the Galaxy when he started 93 consecutive games from August 21, 2002 until September 10, 2005.
• Carlos Ruiz made his second appearance off the bench this season as a second half substitute, replacing Mike Randolph in the 67th minute. It was Ruiz’s second MLS appearance since being injured in stoppage time of the season opening defeat to Colorado on March 29.
• The attendance for tonight’s game was 20,096.
• The Galaxy are back in action on Saturday, June 7 when they host the Colorado Rapids at The Home Depot Center. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. FSN West will broadcast the match live beginning with Galaxy Live at 7:00 p.m. Fans can also tune in live over the airwaves on 1330 KWKW (Spanish) and AM 570 (English).

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

galaxy are horrible without donovan and beckham. we need to find a good left midfielder or good defenders.

charlesj27 said...

Okay, I knew... I knew playing Toronto at their home (BMO) field was not going to be easy. The first half effort from the LA Galaxy team was commendable, not stellar - but they fought well. The young players on our team are going to need a LOT more matches on-field in order for them to play more confidently and much less nervously. Next, the wet turf and the off-an-on rain was in no way helping hte LA Galaxy. For some players it completely THWARTED their accuracy, correctness, and style. I'm NOT at all confident about: Troy Roberts, Mike Randolph, and Edson Buddle. Sorry, LA Galaxy fans - these individuals committed too many mistakes. Too many give aways. Sean Franklin was so impressive - so solid, so composed. In the absence of Beckham and Donovan, our team absolutely need much more experienced, skillful, accurate MIDFIELD WINGERS (BOTH LEFT & RIGHT). Brandon is trying - but right now, he does NOT have the composure and skill to handle the winger position. We have to make some changes in our team this coming June. We have to! Without bringing in some experience on the WINGS and more expert, smart, tall, strong central defender - we are going to continue to SUFFER! Our LA Galaxy team needs this! Needs this soon!
The players that hung in there, fought, tried to create, and tried to keep our LA Galaxy strong offensively and defensively:
Alan Gordon, Alvaro Pires, Chris Klein, Greg Vanney, Sean Franklin, Joey Franchino (I still strongly believe that our team needs and must hold onto Joey; he needs to be much more match fit & increase his running speed).
The players that made too many mistakes and kept giving away the balls or lost concentration and attention: Mike Randolph, Troy Roberts, Edson Buddle.
Steve Cronin needs another FULL 1 Year of constant matches in MLS before his stats and instincts and reaction-times improves and becomes a good, solid keeper.
Carlos Ruiz still needs to play more MLS matches with the guys; in this game you could see he was waiting... waiting to see who would give that perfect cross and pass and set him up - the way that Landon and David can. I'm telling LA Galaxy organization: we need more experience, talent, skill, and expertise in BOTH LEFT & RIGHT WINGS, plus a TALL, STRONG, QUICK, SKILLFUL CENTRAL DEFENDER.
The 2008 season is by no means done nor even halfway - but the LA Galaxy organization MUST, MUST bring in the players that this team requires. There will be current members that must be let go... it's not nice to read nor hear... but, the LA Galaxy must take teh necessary measures NOW ( DO NOT WAIT) to turn the games around!!!

Anonymous said...

I really liked what I saw from Carlos, his passing is overlooked must of the time. Posting up and distributing one touch passes to the wings really opend up some opportunities. His pass to Gordon for an all stride shot was superb, too bad the shot went wide. I can't wait till he is 90 minutes fit. I think that once that happens the Galaxy attack will explode and it will be a nightmare for MLS defense lines to cover the three prone attack.

charlesj27 said...

Here is my idea in improving our LA Galaxy team in the summer transfer/waiver period:
1) First, we have to either trade or let go of the following (current) players: Pete Vagenas, Troy Roberts, Edson Buddle, Mike Randolph, Israel Sesay, and Vito Higgins (Honestly, we do not need 4 GKs - that's just silly!)
2) Next, please get in touch with Steve Nicol at New England Revs. If I'm not mistaken he already has some international players he scouted and looked at in early January 2008 - and, he's looking to bring them in. That means he should be open for our LA Galaxy to talk with in terms of acquiring three of his players in his current squad. In particular, we must talk with Steve in seriousness and urgency about acquiring Khano Smith, Wells Thompson, and Rob Valentino. We need these positional players on our Galaxy team. There's no denying it. Act NOW - Don't wait!!!
By trading Israel Sesay and Vito Higgins (both DEVs)... we can then sign our trialists/reservists Greg Folk and Mike Munoz to Developmental Contracts. Come on LA Galaxy management and coaches - you guys know that you need serious help in the midfield and central defense. Stop being lazy and hoping that good things will happen - take action!!!

Anonymous said...

Do you give a pass to the Galaxy when Beck's and Donovan aren't around? It's one thing to lose, but man I can't stand it when we're almost totally outplayed. Saw some good things, but like Charles said too many mistakes from certain players.