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Philadelphia Union vs. Los Angeles Galaxy: Match Day Commentary

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BY ADAM SERRANO

Tonight's match between the LA Galaxy and the Philadelphia Union looks like a huge mismatch. The Galaxy come into the match with an undefeated record of 4-0-1 while the Union enter on a two game losing skid arriving to Home Depot Center with a 1-3-0 record. But as the old saying goes, "That's why they play the game."

The Galaxy will look to get back on the scoreboard after being held to a scoreless draw on the road last week against Kansas City. Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan will be looking to capitalize on a Union defense that has been suspect so far this season.

The Union will be without their leading scorer Sebastien Le Toux after the forward suffered an injury in the club's 3-1 loss against the New York Red Bulls in US Open Cup play on Wednesday.  The club will need forward Alejandro Moreno to have a big night of the Union are going to make a game of this match.

This is Adam Serrano providing you commentary from the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. As always, you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action. (Commentary below the jump)

Final – Completely dominant performance by Los Angeles tonight. The club does their ritual salute to the Angel City Brigade as they leave the field. For the Union, the Philly club was completely over matched tonight against the best team in MLS. There will be no wind sprints tonight for Nowak's group, but they earned a valuable lesson tonight against the Galaxy. 

Once again for the Galaxy, it was "Buddle for the Win" as the locals say.  Edson Buddle who can't seem to stop scoring and is sure to earn a call up for the USMNT camp later in the month.

That's all for me right now. Be sure to check back at SBI for further details of tonight's match. Thank you for following along.

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93rd Minute – THE WHISTLE IS BLOWN! Galaxy 3 Union 1. The Galaxy supporters group sing their chant, "This is LA". A fact that the Union aren't sure to forget after tonight's drubbing.

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92nd Minute – CROSS BAR! Great ball played to Mathis who finds an open Donovan. Donovan's effort goes off the cross bar.

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91st Minute – Cazumba nearly comes up with a goal there, but the effort is badly taken and ends up in Seitz side netting.

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90th Minute – Three Minutes of Stoppage Time.

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85th Minute – A turnover in the midfield leads to a Fred breakaway. The Brazilian finds McInerney who slots it by Ricketts. It's a 3-1 Galaxy lead.

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84th Minute – UNION GOAL!!!!!! McInerney with the goal!

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81st Minute – A few more interesting tidbits, this is Buddle's fourth two goal game and Mathis' 250 match of his career.

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80th Minute – Galaxy seem content right now to hold the lead as they spray the ball around the park.

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79th Minute – Union getting testy but the Galaxy earn the corner which is promptly stolen by Philly.

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78th Minute – Union getting very testy as Moreno gets into Donovan's face after a foul. This occurs moments after Philly's best chance of the night when an Arrieta fre kick finds the head of Moreno, but Ricketts makes the save.

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77th Minute – Union starting to get a bit frustrated and try to start play early. Galaxy's Omar Gonzalez earns a yellow for dissent.

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76th Minute – Sub for the Union: Amobi Okugo on for Jordan Harvey. Tonight's attendance is announced at 15,453

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74th Minute – HUGE ovation for Buddle as he comes out. Do you hear that phone ringing Edson? It's Mr. Bradley on the line.

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74th Minute – The run is stopped by Nakazawa who knocks down DeLaGarza and earns a yellow in the process.  Bowen preparing to come on for Edson Buddle.

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72nd Minute – Union earn a free kick that is punched out by Ricketts and leads to a break by the Galaxy.

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71st Minute – Corner kick for the Galaxy. Omar Gonzalez with the header but it goes over Seitz's net.

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70th Minute – Nice ovation for Mathis who is making his debut after knee surgery in during the offseason. His first appearance with the Galaxy since 2000.

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69th Minute – Mathis making his season debut replacing Alan Gordon.

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68th Minute – Galaxy catch the Union on the break and earn possession. Clint Mathis preparing to come on.

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68th Minute – McInerney with a bit of an attempt, but the forward can not convert on the cross.

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65th Minute – Corner kick on the Riot Squad end. Union clear it out of danger.

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64th Minute – Galaxy on the break, but Alex gives up the ball and the Union get possession.

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62nd Minute – Alex Cazumba comes in for Juninho in a Brazilian for Brazilian swap.

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60th Minute – Union Sub: Kyle Nakazawa replacing Andrew Jacobsen. Alex Cazumba getting set to come on for Los Angeles.

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60th Minute – Poor corner by the Union and the Galaxy nearly get a break away as a long ball is played to Donovan, but the ball is cleared by Califf.

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59th Minute – Union with a corner. McInerney will take it.

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56th Minute – Birchall with an absolute screamer but Seitz makes a fantastic save. McInerney coming on for Torres.

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55th Minute – Jack McInerney preparing to come on for Philly.

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53rd Minute – After this performance, I'm taking wagers on how long Nowak will make his side run wind sprints tonight.

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51st Minute – Gordon with a shot, but its pretty weak and falls right into the hands of Seitz.

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49th Minute – Union  with an early corner, but nothing becomes of it.

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45th Minute – Back underway

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HALFTIME – Simply an amazing start for Los Angeles.  A bit of trivia, this the first time since 2003 that the Galaxy have scored three goals in a half. Hard to think that we won't see more after that display and with the Union down a man.

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HALFTIME – To say that that half was a nightmare for the Union would be a horrible understatement. The Galaxy are simply the better team on the field and Peter Nowak's club has no answers for them. Expect some serious changes at the half for Philly.

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45th Minute – RED CARD FOR THE UNION!! Its ex Galaxy Stefani Miglioranzi who slide tackles Juninho after a Donovan tackle of Roger Torres. Poor play by the ex Galaxy man right there. The whistle is blown for Halftime.

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45th Minute – It's BFTW, Buddle for the win, once more for the Galaxy. Donovan with a beautiful run beating three Union defenders and lays it off to Buddle to fires in a beautiful goal. The Angel City Brigade are chanting USA for Buddle.

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45th Minute – GALAXY GOAL!!!!!!! WHO ELSE? EDSON BUDDLE!

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44th Minute – Dunivant with a turn over to Jacobsen. Midfielder dishes it to Torres who returns it to Jacobsen. The midfielder turns it over and causes a Galaxy braek away on the other end.

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43rd Minute – The Galaxy may be up two, but Donovan Ricketts with a few unimpressive goal kicks so far that have been returned right back to the Union. I suppose that it can't be perfect for the Los Angeles club.

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41st Minute – The Union have subs Danny Mwanga and Jack McInerney up on the sidelines. Look for one of the two rookies to come in during the half.

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39th Minute – Union give away a chance in the Galaxy end and force a LA throw in.

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37th Minute – No luck for the Union as Michael Orozco's header goes way over the net.

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36th Minute – Union earn their first corner of the night as Roger Torres heads out to the Riot Squad end.

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35th Minute – Alan Gordon getting into the action for the Galaxy. A break away is interrupted by Seitz and moments later the forward is nearly pushed down in the box by Andrew Jacobsen. Good no call there however.

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33rd Minute – Galaxy smelling blood in the water right now. The club is camped out in the Union zone, but Arrieta forces the turn over and the Union earn possession.

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32nd Minute – No magic on that kick for Donovan as the effort goes straight in the hands of Chris Seitz.

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31st Minute – Galaxy with the corner

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30th Minute – If any one believed that Edson Buddle wouldn't get a call up to the US national squad, you're going to have to get on board as the forward earns his 8th goal this season. Fantastic run of form by Buddle.

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29th Minute – Buddle does it again as the confetti flies in the press box. A great corner by Donovan finds the head of Alan Gordon heads a laser that Seitz saves. The ball comes out to Edson Buddle who scores on the rebound.

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27th Minute – GALAXY GOAL!!!! EDSON BUDDLE!

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26th Minute – LA beginning to ask questions of the Union. Donovan with a corner.

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25th Minute – Interesting bit of trivia here, DeLaGarza's goal is the second fastest goal in Galaxy history second only to a Clint Mathis strike. Mathis scored 33 seconds in during a 2-1 victory over Kansas City on July 25th, 1999.

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18th Minute – No Dice for the Galaxy on that free kick as Donovan skies it into the Galaxians fan group. Seitz with the goal kick.

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17th Minute – Califf with a foul on Juninho sets up a Galaxy free kick from just outside the box.

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15th Minute – Suspect breakaway by the Galaxy. Donovan receives the pass and is off to the races, but while attempting to cross to Alan Gordon, Chris Seitz covers it and sends it the opposite direction. It appeared that Donovan was off side on that run.

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14th Minute – The Union with a majority of the possession right now, but they can't seem to connect the last pass as the Galaxy are doing a suburb job of stepping in their lines and creating turnovers.

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13th Minute – Both teams appearing a bit tentative right now. I have to say I've very impressed with the play of Roger Torres so far. The diminutive Columbian is looking very impressive controlling the ball for the Union.

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8th Minute – Goal kick for the Union.

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5th Minute – Andrew Jacobsen with a laser of a shot that nearly causes a rebound opportunity when coming off of Donovan Ricketts. Just a screamer from the ex California Golden Bear.

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4th Minute – Interesting tidbit on that goal, A.J. DeLaGarza told Seitz via the Galaxy website that he was saving his first goal of the season for his fellow Maryland teammate. Well, it looks like A.J. came through!

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2nd Minute – Beautiful set up by Michael Stephens who passes it into Edson Buddle who finds DeLaGarza on the right side. Beautiful set up for a beautiful goal. Galaxy with a goal in the opening 53 seconds.

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1st Minute – GALAXY GOAL!!!! AJ DELAGARZA!!!!

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1st Minute – And We're off. Galaxy with a goal kick after the Union clear it behind the Galaxy net.

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PREGAME – The Union are looking very hyped up at the moment. Galaxy coming into the match very composed. One bit of impressive news is that I see a few members of the Philadelphia supporters group, The Sons of Ben in attendance for this one. Props to them for making the long trek to the Home Depot Center.

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PREGAME – The players are on the field and we're only moments away from starting this one. Make sure to let me know who is following along at the start.

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PREGAME – A key part of the Union's game play tonight will be the speedy Shea Salinas. Lining up in the 4-5-1 will mean that the Union will need to hit the Galaxy on the counter attack and expect Salinas to be a key part of that game plan.

For Los Angeles, the club comes into tonight the heavy favorite, but will need to stay on their toes against a very physical Union side. The stadium is starting to fill up right now and hopefully we will have a good crowd on hand for this beautiful Los Angeles night.

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PREGAME – A bit of a chilly night, but it's beautiful here in Los Angeles as we prepare for the Galaxy's match wit the Union. Philly will be lining up in a 4-5-1 with Alejandro Moreno serving as the lone striker due to the absence of injured forward Sebastien Le Toux.

For the home team, the Galaxy maintain a very similar line up to the one that drew against the Wizards. The lone change for Los Angeles is the insertion of Alan Gordon for Mike Magee. Mike Magee is out due to some tightness in his right hip that will rule the forward out for tonight's match.

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PREGAME – Here are today's starting line ups:

PHILADELPHIA UNION

———————Moreno———————–

——-Salinas———-Fred————–Torres—-

————Jacobson—-Miglioranzi—————–

Harvey——-Orozco———Califf——-Arrieta

———————Seitz—————————–

LOS ANGELES GALAXY

————Buddle———Gordon—————

Stephens—–Birchall——Juninho—-Donovan

Dunivant—-Berhalter——-Gonzalez——DeLaGarza

———————-Ricketts————————–

Comments

  1. No he just did a two legged takedown that he learned back on the wrastling team in California. Lets just say if “fouls” like that should be called than Ljungberg would draw 500 or so per match. And the whole Columbus team brings it on theirselves with their horrible hair.

    Reply
  2. Assuming you’ve watched more than one game of Nyarko’s in MLS, you’ve easily spotted he’s a one trick pony and has been since his rookie year.

    He simply put’s his head down and dribbles forward, exclusively relying on his speed rather than developing other facets of his game.

    On this basis of relying simply on speed, the comparison is legitimate and fair. Additionally, I believe he’d fair exactly as Robbie has on the International level, given his lack of an all around game.

    It seems as if you’ve just blurted out an assessment and praise that others have given him without forming an opinion of your own?

    Reply
  3. i disagree…..i actually believe Nyarko is a more skilled player, while Findey is a much better finisher

    its quite strange how some one could even compare the two, its seems as if you just blurted out the first name you thought of when fast MLS players come to mind

    Reply
  4. I think it’s time to address the discipline issues for the Union. The first time I looked at the play I knew that was a straight red. The players are professionals and should know better so I have to start pointing at the coach because after you waive a player and send another to the minors your still having the same problem with stupid fouls. It has to be something the coaching staff is telling the squad to do. I understand about playing hard but you have to draw the line somewhere. Expansion or not the Union is a pretty good team and their record is not showing it. Let the sack race begin…

    Reply
  5. I’m inclined to disagree.

    Nyarko needs more seasoning and work on his game to have a chance at succeeding on the international level (see Robbie Findley).

    He has unteachable speed but needs to work on his overall possession skills and above all, finishing.

    Hamlet and now De Los Cobos seem to recognize he’s better utilized on the wing due to his development at this point in his career after being drafted as an elite college striker.

    Reply
  6. as a fellow hardcore hockey fan and soccer fan i welcome you! Im blessed where my hockey team is a minority owner of my MLS club (Sharks/Earthquakes)Not alot of people realize it but hockey is very similar to soccer…instead of ice you have grass, instead of a puck you have a ball, instead of hockey sticks you have your feet, both have defenders, wingers and goalies.

    As for “leaving feet” its like in hockey where its considered reckless to hit someone while leaving your skates

    Reply
  7. The reds aren’t really meant as a punishment, but more as a deterrent. You want to give red cards for willful actions that can endanger other players. That’s why two footed tackles, head butts, etc are straight reds.

    Reply
  8. He didn’t grab him and throw him to the ground. At least you aren’t ashamed to show your bias by resorting to name-calling.

    Reply
  9. If you’re calling fouls like that, then why the no-call on Jesus Hejduck’s takedown of Montero in the box?

    Reply
  10. Phantom foul? Didn’t know you throw a player to the ground. Besides, Sounders took that thrown in 20 yards down the field from where the ball went out. Should have been called back anyways.

    Reply
  11. I’m coming into the sport from hockey, so I appreciate your help. I guess I didn’t really think about the studs and to me “leaving feet” means jumping not sliding, but what you write makes sense.

    I agree about recklessness, my gut instinct was yellow. I guess as I watch more matches I will get a better sense of the boundaries.

    Reply
  12. Phantom foul negates a late goal and win by the Sounders (in a much more entertaining match than the LA Union)

    Reply
  13. It seems like Donovan is playing to not get hurt right now. It’s too bad her couldn’t stay in the EPL ahead of the WC.

    Reply
  14. Oh like Ching/Johnson/Casey would fare better. No offense but Buddle is the hottest American striker on the planet right now. He has to go.

    Reply
  15. Easy. If he can’t produce against quality international opponents in the form of Turkey and Czech Republic.

    BTW GREAT SOUNDERS-CREW GAME

    Reply
  16. I mean, as the TV guys said “he was coming in awfully hard” but the ball was right there, he hit it perfectly. I’m still learning the game but my understanding is that reds are reserved for egregious fouls.

    Reply
  17. Apparently Califf took a big elbow to the face on the second goal…part of the bad defense on that corner was califf being dazed.

    Reply

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