BY ADAM SERRANO
CARSON, Calif — The LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls match lived up to its top billing as both teams put on an entertaining display with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.
Thierry Henry gave the Red Bulls the lead just four minutes into the match before Landon Donovan equalized for the Galaxy in the 41st minute of play.
In front of the capacity crowd at the Home Depot Center, both teams consistently challenged one another throughout the match. For all the open play, some believed that there should have been more goals at the end.
"It should have ended up 3-3, with all the chances from both sides, it was a very intense game and a very good game," said Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe. "It was probably the best that you could see in MLS at the moment, it must have been very entertaining as there were two teams that definitely wanted to attack for 90 minutes and go for the winning goal."
While both teams were aggressive from the outset, the Red Bulls were able to jump out to an early lead after Dane Richards sent in a well timed pass into Henry in the fourth minute. The Frenchman was able to dribble around Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and calmly put the Red Bulls up 1-0. The goal was the fourth goal in four matches for the mercurial French forward.
Los Angeles continued to put a considerable pressure on the Red Bulls throughout the first half and were eventually rewarded in the 41st minute of play. Off a David Beckham corner kick, Donovan confidently struck his fourth goal in three matches after catching the Red Bulls defense clearly unprepared on the corner. Two minutes later, Donovan was unlucky to not get a second when his slow rolling shot was cleared off the line by Red Bulls defender Tim Ream.
“Great corner by David. I had the leeway to go into the box if I wanted and I just got into a good spot, it went over Omar’s head and I want to get it in goal and hit it well,” said Donovan. "It was a great game. You’re not going to see too many games like that in our league this year. I was impressed how much they put into trying to get after it and win the game— most teams come here and try to defend for 90 minutes."
The second half may not have had the scoring, but both teams by no means took their foot off the gas pedal. The Galaxy controlled a great deal of the possession, but the Red Bulls managed several forays up field testing Ricketts and the Galaxy defense several times, spearheaded by a superb effort in midfield from Dwayne DeRosario.
True to the back and forth nature of the match, the best chances of the second half came in quick succession. With less than ten minutes left in the match, Beckham forced Red Bulls goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul to make a diving save. Moments later, the Red Bulls charged up the field with Dane Richards firing a shot that was stopped by the goal post. Following the match, the mood in the locker rooms of both teams was one of respect for the match that just taken place.
"Tonight was a good and fair battle with everybody, they wanted to win for the team and we wanted to do the same," said Henry. "There was a lot of respect on the field, but when you go at it sometimes, you're going to have people battling, but at the end of the day it was a good and open game."
Both teams will now use next week looking to build upon this highly entertaining result. New York will return to Red Bull Arena to take on Chivas USA on May 15th while the Galaxy travel to Philadelphia to take on the Union on before returning to host Sporting Kansas City on May 14th.
Most incredible piece of skill I have ever seen live…
Hip bar in LA showing the Galaxy game??? You should have been watching it at a Galaxy pub or at the stadium if you wanted passion. Laker fan…
Dude, he has always been good on the field…The beef was for the times he wasn’t there
It happens when you start Chad Barrett and bring in Cris Birchall for a spark…Playoff knockout again for LA
+1
MLS scheduled the most exciting weekend match at 11 PM Eastern. I could have stayed up until 1 AM to watch, but I’d rather prolong my life expectancy with sleep. I just wish MLS would schedule these games to benefit the entire country and not the west coast.
truth. he finally seems to care about this “Beckham experiment.” just wants to get a trophy in America before he retires. i’m not a Beckham fan, but he has the best right foot ever if you ask me. his quality is still quite evident.
same with Henry. he is definitely not over the hill, as some people have said. he got a little tired by the end of the match, but his quality on the ball is unmatched in MLS, and he has not lost it at all. how about that play where he kept the ball in the air for about 20-30 yards going down the left flank? absolutely sick
yea he got a little too cocky there and tried to toy with Ream a little bit it looked like. too much confidence can hurt you sometimes. either way, it was a nice move around the ‘keeper (although Coundoul could have done much better… is he afraid of staying in his box or something?) and i thought he deserved a goal. amazing play by Ream though, great hustle and determination
I don’t understand how Donovan didn’t get the foul/penalty right after his goal. Beckham (I think it was him) floats a ball to the side of the box, Donovan collects and plays it back towards the top of the box and then gets knocked off his path by Miller. In my non-partisan opinion, that should have been a foul.
Regardless, epic game.
If a guy with three goals this season (Rodgers) is crappy, then MLS is in good shape
Agreed. Beckham should’ve had 3 assists last night. Donovan and Angel both missed great chances off of Beckham passes.
I’m not personallya supporter of either team, however it needs to be said that Last nights galaxy vs. red bulls games was contested at possibly the highest standard of play this league has ever produced. I normally have trouble watching a full 90 mins MLS games where I dont have a rooting interest… But this game was great!
I hope that is a glimpse at the future of the MLS. Some day in the future that game could well be heralded as a turning point for league and the sport in America
I agree with the positive comments…finally…Finally…FINALLY, a game with possession, skill and creativity!! I have been a huge fan of MLS since its inception, but honestly speaking, many games are (were) poor trapping, poor movement with a moment or two of brilliance. This game had class at almost every position on the pitch!
I was stoked to see HDC filled to capacity. The grass area was nearly full as well. MLS got its money’s worth, with respect to the value of players on the pitch.
On a technical presentation note, sell out games should be given more wide-angle shots on TV. I DVR’d the game and watched a little when I got home (cause I was still pumped from the game), and you could hardly see there were any fans above the 6th or 7th row. It’s great advertising for MLS when viewers can see a packed house.
But one half at that caliber in MLS is noteworthy.
My thoughts exactly. For the first time in four years, Becks is genuinely earning his keep. (Knock on wood.)
I was standing 20 feet from the goal. From my angle and the angle on the replay, it looked like it crossed the line.
In any case LD blew 3 points for the Galaxy. He had a wide open net. All he needed was a little extra oomph.
the “hip bar” ***** also missed how that side of the stadium oohed and awed while Henry was running almost full speed while juggling.
his passes were truly amazing- otherworldly.
LOL. You know, the ref didn’t have a bad outing compared to what we have seen from MLS refs over the last month or so. He does have…..that “look” though.
The second half was dire!
The announcers, for what it’s worth, also said the wind was let out of the game in the second half.
Seriously, I’m not “hating” I watched the game until its end, but the second half was crap and there was a lot of balls getting hit into the air, no extended passing sequences to really speak of frankly.
1 half does not make 90minutes.
I completely agree with PetedeLA, the second half was dire!
The announcers, for what it’s worth, also said the wind was let out of the game in the second half.
Seriously, I’m not “hating” I watched the game until its end, but the second half was crap and there was a lot of balls getting hit into the air, no extended passing sequences to really speak of frankly.
1 half does not make 90minutes.
The second half had moments but the 1st half was magic…sorry you missed it.
Agree about “Backpass” Ballouchy. Tainio is a really, really important player for RBNY, both offensively and defensively.
I was at the game. Best game at hdc in a long time. The speed of play was outstanding by both teams. Lots of chances, and good goalkeeping. Great atmosphere.
Since you only saw the second half, you missed Henry juggling the ball six or seven times while running. That’s entertainment, and should be in commercials for the rematch.
Everyone saying it was a great game. I only caught the second half and I found it a bore fest. I was at a hip bar in LA, and the only highlights were in Beckham’s hair.
Someone mentioned that the passion seemed to die out somewhere between minute 65 and 75. Couldn’t agree more. I wanted 90 minutes! Furthermore, I think the league needs to get some dribblers if they want to make the games more compelling to casual fans. I don’t get why Donovan, with his speed, can’t take people on more. Kudos to Richards and Lindpere for at least trying.
Echoing what others have said, THIS is the on-field product that will draw fans and earn international respect. Very much looking forward to the majority of MLS teams being able to link play with this fluidity. It feels like MLS is turning a corner this year for me as a fan. Every week there is one game I look forward to watching at least as much as euro leagues often moreso. Even champions league weeks, was more interested in the RSL run than real barca shenanigans. This week it was red bull galaxy. Next week timbers sounders. That game will feature more punt and hack, but the passion will be worth it. Good show MLS.
it crossed the line but the effort was indeed class. Ream was fortunate on that call and also when JPA blew it on the volley attempt but still overall he had a great game.
I glad it was an exciting game but I’m thrilled that there were no season ending injuries to high-profile players or others for that matter. I just felt like someone was leaving in a stretcher from this game.
Good game
For all the abuse that he has taken in LA, Beckham was very dangerous last night. Dropping crosses and passes left and right. Now this is what MLS was waiting for when they signed him.
So much for the Ream is “way too slow” argument. Unbelievable save – many times you see a defender do that when he is behind the ball and he just ends up slotting it into his own net. Ream was quality all night.
Very good game. So many good players on the field, experienced (Henry, Marquez, Donovan, DeRo, Lindpere, Ricketts, Beckham, Angel) as well as young and promising (Gonzalez, Agudelo, Ream, de la Garza, Richards). Only a couple crappy players (Rodgers, Barrett). This was like watching the Champions League compared to Chicago-Vancouver.
Great, great game, end to end. This is the type of game MLS should be spotlighting but they stick in on at 11pm EST. Stupid move. Lots of potential new fans probably missed it.
Great save by Ream regardless if it was over the line or not.
I know both teams created and missed several chances, But Ballouchy on the middle weakened RB so much last night. Hope Backe understands that this experiment ended last night. Every time he had the ball it made me fear for the worst. If you had to choose: Chad Barret or Ballouchy?? haha
Would have liked to seen a different view of the Ream save on Landon. I thought the ball crossed the line. Regardless LD should have finished it.
First of all, I want to make it clear that I have nothing against lesbians, but Edvin Jurisevic has to be my least favorite official in the league. Secondly, Luke Rodgers is almost as bright as a special needs wildebeest and I’m baffled how he has yet to be sent off this year. Beyond that, AWESOME match! Quality all over the field and so much passion. I have to get to the return in New York!
too many chances mate!! im impartial to either team. as a philly fan I wanted LD and galaxy to tear it up but i had my hands on my head for just about the whole match. got a little slow from 65-75 but still a great game
Man oh man, what a game! LA let too many chances slip, in my opinion.