Rangers FC Beat LA Galaxy in a Snoozer

The Scottish powerhouse, Rangers FC, beat the Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 last night at the Home Depot Center.

Last night's international friendly with the LA Galaxy taking on Rangers FC appeared exciting during the national anthem (see video below), but it quickly ended up to be a snoozer.

The Ranger FC team was full of divers - not the snorkeling kind either, but the Christiano Ronaldo kind. If you fart they'd fall over. But hey, it worked because the center referee is a Glasgow native and make all of the calls for the visitors.

The Galaxy started their second string (not counting Cobi) and they played like an AYSO team. A bunch of kicking and praying.

Except for the Rangers FC #7 (below), the visitors weren't all that impressive either.

The Galaxy had a few final chances in the second half, like this (video below) corner kick from Santino Quaranta, but even our great Landon Donovan was unable to get the service he needed from the back to make things happen.

The Ranger's goal was a a gimme as our defender Kyle Veris took a swing to clear the ball out, missed it, then allowed the Ranger's forward to boot in right in. Sorry Scotsmen, not that impressed!

Some Footnotes:

I can't seem to understand why Frank Yallop continues to give as much playing time to Nate Jaqua as he does. Nate seems too slow and awkward to be playing forward or for the LAG at all.

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Technorati Tags: Rangers FC, Major League Soccer, Los Angeles Galaxy Santino Quaranta

Xavier to Shake Up LA Galaxy Defense

On Monday, May 14th, Middlesbrough (EPL) defender, Abel Xavier (Portugal), signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy. He can join the team as early as June 15th when the transfer window opens up.

Haven't seen him play? That's because he was out for a year after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Yet, Frank Yallop says "People of his quality are not often available for us to sign, so we are really happy that he is going to join us." (Yahoo Sports). Quality? Doesn't a player of quality need to live a life of "sportsmanship?" Drugs aren't included in that are they?

I'm a little skeptical about this move and worried about the shake up that could be coming to the LAG defense. Xavier is a right fullback. So is Chris Albright. I like Chris a lot. He's fast, a good defender and he can play up - one of few defenders who can within the MLS. He's a MLS All-Star too boot.

So what about Xavier? Will he play stopper? Replace Chris or Tyron? The hair's gotta get shaved off if he's going to live in LA. It's old school, no doubt.



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Technorati Tags: Chris Albright, Abel Xavier, Los Angeles Galaxy Middlesbrough

LA Galaxy Fall to the New England Revolution (Video)

The New England Revolution beat the LA Galaxy 2-3 after Taylor Twellman put in the final goal in the 90th minute of regulation.

Last nights LA Galaxy game versus the New England Revolution started out great. The LAG maintain ball control most of the first half and Kyle Martino scored his second goal of the season from an assist from #8 Peter Vaegas.

Chris Albright just missed a chance to tied it up in the second half but the Revolution defender was sitting on the post and kicked it our (see my home video below).



New England controlled the second half and went up 2-1 until Tyron Marshall tied it up with a great header from Landon Donovan's corner kick (see my home video below).



The disappointing story of the match was Joe Cannon. Our MLS MVP goalie isn't playing like one and I wonder if Steve Cronin is going to get his chance. I say give it to him, he can't do any worse than Joe.

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Technorati Tags: Chris Albright, Tyron Marshall, Los Angeles Galaxy New England Revolution

LA Galaxy Crack Open the Red Bulls, 3-1 in Overtime

vs.

The LA Galaxy beat the NY Red Bulls 3-1 in overtime during a U.S. Open Cup match last night at the Home Depot Center.

Landon Donovan scored on a penalty kick within the fourth minute of over time and he had an assisted goal to Santino Quaranta. Kyle Martino scored by header on a cross from Ante Jaqua. The Red Bulls new Argentine striker, Juan Pablo Angel (#9), scored on a free kick during the first 15 minutes of overtime.

The teams started out pretty even during the first half. Although the Red Bulls had more accurate shots on goal - all saved by the LAG's backup goalie, Cronin. Cronin saved the Galaxy from certain defeat last night.

PK Denied!
Watch Steve Cronin's penalty kick save.

Red Card
Cobi Jones was tripped by a Red Bulls midfielder who attempted to hold Cobi while he tried to immediately take the free kick. Cobi's legs and the ball were held by the player and in frustration, Cobi stepped on the player and received an immediate Red Card.

At the end of regulation it was tied 0 - 0 and with the crowd being pretty weak my son and I decided to sit behind the goal for the overtime period to catch all the action as follows.

The Red Bulls tripped Kyle Martino in the box in the 4th minute of overtime, allowing Landon Donovan to score the first goal by penalty kick.

Although he played terrible during the last season game against Chivas USA, Kyle Martino game into the game late and scored by header on a cross from defender Ante Jaqua.

Breakaway

Donovan had a breakaway in the final minute with a pass to Santino Quaranta who put the nail in the coffin to make it 3-1

Celebration

Santino Quaranta celebrates with the fans - on the same side my son and I had just moved to behind the goal.

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Technorati Tags: Cobi Jones, Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy Red Bulls