Galaxy Take Out Houston, 2-1

By: Laurie | October 7th, 2007

I knew they had it in them. I also (in my mind) predicted the goal scorers: Nate Jaqua, Carlos Pavon, Gavin Glinton. (My big fear was that there would be some Houston scores I hadn’t predicted.)

I figured Jaqua would score because he had something to prove. And the fact that it came off a Ngwenya assist added a touch more irony and payback to the goal. But I figured Carlos Pavon was not just due but overdue, and sure enough, he managed to put one in seconds before the half to give the Galaxy that all-important psychological advantage.

And then all it took was Gavin Glinton to finish off a Cobi Jones assist in the second half. How right does that combination feel? I’m loving Gavin Glinton.

I ended up being home but couldn’t see the game. Stupid cable company. As always, I spent the first ten minutes on my couch morosely flipping through all of my 200 or so channels on the off chance that Comcast had miraculously decided to offer me the game. Alas, no. (Of course I know better, but still I hope.) So I listened to the streamed game on the radio, and I got enough of a feel for the game to feel heartened. This team has finally become the real deal. TEN shots, including seven on goal. They want this bad. (The number of corners given up — seven — is a bit disturbing, but the team does seem to at last be figuring out how to defend set pieces.)

Alas, Chicago and New England did us no favors by allowing Chicago to win. But the playoffs are still a possibility. It could easily come down to that last Chicago vs. LA game, Blanco vs. Beckham. Do you think the MLS marketing guys are hyperventilating at the prospect?

If you saw the game, give me your thoughts. (And anybody who would be willing to send a copy of the game my way, I’d be forever in your debt. I have had to miss all three Houston games this year and would love to see this one.)

Oh, P.S. Who knows what “team rule” Mike Randolph broke to get himself bumped from the starting spot? Has our Mikey been a bad boy?

(Thanks for the link to the audio, Lee!)

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: 2007 Games, League Game Recaps, Player News

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Shenn Sellers

Here is an actual news article about Randolph sleeping in.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/spo...
Shenn Sellers

Randolf got in trouble for sleeping in and being late to a practice.

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum...
mag

Very good victory and what is the most important 3 points. They played like a team...some very impressive team work in the centre wich allowed us not to give them many chances. Still a lot of ball losts but any way there is a big step forward since April.
Let's stay positive and hope for playoffs
Kim

Yes, Donovan does SO much off the ball. For example, nailing a ball into the stands after the first LA goal was scored. Man that was classy, making a fan bleed. He was just lucky that no camera picked it up.
Gilbert

I was at the game. Great atmosphere. And the Galaxy played really well, played really smart.

Ngwenya was offside on their goal. He was offside a lot.

Donovan was oustanding. He does so much off the ball that goes unnoticed - and when he's on the ball, he's money.
mag

Good match,good football and what is the most important good result.
They began with some awful ball's losts and couldn't keep ball for a 10 seconds,but this Houston goal was a good lesson and LA changed it's game from nothing to everything. Not that we had a lot of oportuneties but at least we hold the ball well and tried to create something. Our goal was in the air at the end of first half...and what a finish from Pavon. I think this player has skills but he needs to think a little bit more,sometimes his passes look stupid.
Nice job from central midfield+Martino over all.
This team can and should be in playoffs,let's hope this season isn't going to end in three games.
Diane

It was really important to see what this team had once they got a few practices and games, with at least some consistent personnel, under their belts. Even if they don't make the play-offs, hopefully it will allow for a more thoughtful team building process during the off season than the insanity we saw in June/July.
glen

I couldn't agree more with Nathanhj's post. It is great to see them coming together as a team. There's still hope, plus it's nice too see them rack up some wins and showing confidence in their play. If they could just play like this from the start of the '08 season :)
Nathanhj

So very very nice.

Best thing about the game was that they played like a team. The technical ability is getting higher. Lots of one-touch passes in small spaces. Still way too many give-aways, but their ability to play with Houston's midfield was a confidence-booster.

Backline looks seriously shaky, like always. The layoff from injury sure didn't make Jazic any faster. Troy Roberts is still not making good decisions, but he did have some inspired tackles. Overall I'm still not impressed.

Tudela continues to get better. He's got a real nose for going upfield and I saw him takes guys on 4-5 times over the game. If he got good skills on the ball, he'd be deadly in this league. A Rico Clark type, but craftier.

I'm starting to appreciate Gavin Glinton. I still think he makes a great sub, but his runs are getting smarter and his decision on the ball are getting better. That's leading to goals and that's what you want in a striker.

Donovan really did his part in the game, as well. Led the team by example and by command. Not his greatest game, but he showed up for the whole match and made a difference.

Even if they do drop the ball on this final gasp and don't make it, which is much more likely than actually making it, the final games promise to actually be worth watching, just to see the team play.

It was a nice job and a very engaging game to watch. Nice Sunday present.