LA Galaxy Not Playing Like Champs

These past weeks have been a buzz saw for Los Angeles sport fans. The Kings have advanced to the Conference Finals, the Lakers and Clippers squeaked past their opponents to reach the semi-finals and the Dodgers have the best record in the MLB. Yet, the only team that can claim to be the Champions are just an afterthought.

The LA Galaxy are the forgotten team in LA and with their recent play it may be beset for the LA fans to continue to root for the the other sports while the Galaxy round into form.

On the 2nd of May, the LA Galaxy were doing their best to build on their previous game, a 1-1 tie vs. FC Dallas but the visiting Galaxy came out flat footed in Seattle. Playing shorthanded, without Saunders, Keane or Beckham, the Galaxy relied on Landon Donovan to no avail. At the 40th minute Eddie Jonson of the Sounders broke the nil nil game. It wasn’t long after the break that Fredy Montero was able to score another goal for the Sounders. That’s the way the game ended, 2-0 another loss for the Galaxy.

On the first Saturday in May, while I was at the local racetrack wager and watching the Kentucky Derby, the Galaxy were on the pitch once again trying to get back on track. This time they were hosting the New York Red Bulls. With most of the major players back in the starting lineup (except for Saunders), it was expected that the Galaxy would have an easier time against the Red Bulls who were without the league scoring leader Thierry Henry. And they did.

The Galaxy controlled the game, had a major advantage in the time of possession but failed to convert on their 5 shot on goals. The player of this game had to be the keeper for the Red Bulls with 5 saves. The Galaxy were just unable to punch it in and thus had to settle for 1-0 loss. A tough loss nonetheless.

This last Saturday, the Galaxy traveled to Montreal to take on the Impact. It was only 8 minutes into the game when the Galaxy fell behind thanks to a goal by Impact’s forward David Arnaud. As the previous game, the Galaxy had a greater possession of the ball and out shot their opponents. But it took the touch of Beckham to bend the ball into the net from a free kick just outside the box. The goal seemed to liven the pace for the Galaxy as they kept the pressure on the Impact. But, alas, it was to no avail. The game ended with score being tied 1-1.

So there you have it. Three games in May for the Galaxy and they have netted just 1 point. On Saturday they face their home sharing rivals Chivas USA who at 10 points are second last in the Western Conference yet only 1 behind the Galaxy. I am not saying its a must win but they cannot afford to lose this game.

For the time being, I will tune in to the Kings, Lakers, and Clippers and root for them as they try to bring glory back to LA. As for the Galaxy, I will watch with hopes that they can right this ship before it turns into the Titanic.