By JONATHAN VERA
LOS ANGELES, Calif – Real Madrid came back to LA with the same agenda as last year: to beat LA. And they did just that as Cristiano Ronaldo and company unleashed a 4-1 clinic on the Galaxy Saturday night at the LA Coliseum.
Jose Mourinho has played against the Galaxy on several occasions with Chealsea, Inter Milan and twice with Madrid. The Portuguese coach likes playing against LA for one sole reason: their focus is not entirely on the defense.
“They are not obsessed with the result, they want to play football and they don’t want to play a defensive match,” Mourinho said. “And because of that I like to train here in the preseason.”
The Galaxy’s play Saturday night was anything but defensive as they allowed four unanswered goals; two by youngsters and the others by Galacticos.
Los Merengue’s took the lead in the 31st minute of play. A galaxy heavy touch was converted to a breakaway. Kaka outletted the ball to a wide open Jose Callejon and beat Josh Saunders in the finish for his goal in a Madrid shirt.
Minutes before the half Madrid struck again. Joselu scored off a David Beckham deflection. The ricochet had enough spin to roll around Saunders into net.
Cristiano Ronaldo came in as a second half substitution and quickly made his mark. His fancy footwork star struck a trio of defenders and blasted it in from an angle. Karim Benzema scored later off a header.
LA’s only goal came by way of Adam Cristman in minute 66. Back up keeper Antonio Adan parried a shot right to him and headed it in off the volley.
“Certainly the better team won,” said Bruce Area who admitted fatigue from Wednesday’s US Open game in Seattle played a big factor on his side’s performance. Apparently, guys were just too tired to play defense.