Galaxy vs. Red Bulls Live Blog

By: jen | July 16th, 2009

Alrighty folks. An important match in the eastern time zone means it’s time for me to step up.

If you are taping the game and watching it later then don’t check in here. But if you want to share the experience with me live then be sure to check back in at 5pm Pacific and share your comments as well.

(Click below to see live blog)

————————————————
GALAXY WIN 3-1

*FINAL WHISTLE*

90+’ Galaxy waste time in NY’s end.

90+’ Angel strikes it — SAVE BY RICKETTS!

90′ You’re kidding me! ANOTHER handball by Gonzalez in the box. Another PK to be taken.

88′ Petke fouls LD by NY’s corner flag. Galaxy playing possession.

87′ Angel scores on the PK. (Good for him — he has GOT to be frustrated this season)

86′ Handball by Galaxy in the box — PK chance for NY

85′ Yay! Klein comes in for Lewis. Love that guy!

84′ NY keeps losing possession, can’t produce anything creative. Galaxy are on the verge of some scary counter attacks.

80′ Lewis fouled by a knock to his head. Galaxy play possession from free kick.

78′ Nice, well-placed cross by Birchall to Buddle. Buddle heads it into NY defense.

77′ Rojas dangerous cross into the box. Resulting chance headed out by NY.

73′ Magee in for Eskandarian.

72′ Richards has a chance! Ricketts off his line and out of the 18. Can’t finish the chance though.

Beckham played well. Very well.

70′ Birchall in for Beckham. Let’s see what he’s got.

69′ Bullet shot by Buddle, deflected out for a corner. Buddle can’t get a good head on the corner.

66′ Foul by Buddle. The game’s pace has slowed a lot.

64′ Inswinging corner from Lewis — Dunivant hand ball.

62′ Donovan and Eskandarian — good one-twos but can’t finish on goal

60′ NY shot on goal grabbed by Ricketts

59′ Long ball from DB to Esky — too long for Eskandarian.

58′ NY can’t connect in the final third

56′ Good movement by both teams in the midfield.

55′ Migs strips the ball from NY in the midfield. Beckham providing good defensive coverage in the mid as well.

52′ NY is having much more possession this half

50′ Great strike by Rojas, goes just wide of goal into the side netting

49′ Free kick NY, 40 yards out, headed toward goal and grabbed by Ricketts

48′ Beckham corner long to Donovan who volleys over the crossbar

46′ No Galaxy line up changes

HALFTIME

44′ GOALLLLLLL!!!!!! Lewis!!! Perfect strike, again! Full volley on his left. Fantastic cross from Donovan!

The Red Bulls are knocking, we need to keep them back until the half — let’s keep frustrating them

42′ TWO perfect saves by Ricketts!!

41′ Nice crossing free kick by DB, bending out to the 6 yard box, cleared by NY

40′ Great slide by Petke to take a speeding Donovan’s ball

38′ Chance for Kanji, covered by Ricketts — best chance yet for NY

37′ Another gorgeous shot! This time it’s Eskandarian. Just over the cross bar. NY defense had better step to their players.

Hmm, I’ve just noticed that Beckham is wearing a short-sleeved jersey. He doesn’t stand out as much now amongst the field players. Hmm.

33′ Kick hits top of wall — Eskandarian gains a corner

33′ Buddle fouled 25 yards out — guess who’s taking the free kick?

32′ Angel gets himself open, receives the ball on his right, shot covered by Ricketts

31′ Oh man, that’s goal of the week! Full volley, dipping ball under the crossbar, right upper V. Damn!

31′ DONOVAAAAAAANNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

30′ Donovan cross to Lewis, beautiful strike by Lewis blocked

28′ Esky yellow card

27′ free kick LA, taken by DB — no scoring chance

26′ Bad passing in the final third, Beckham NEEDS to see the ball more . . .

23′ Beautiful diving clearance by Petke of Donovan’s cross.

23′ Migs missed Donovan on pass — needs to get ball in to Beckham more

20′ Rojas’ shot deflects from wall, corner kick. Angel headed wide of goal.

20′ Berhalter called for foul on Kanji — NY free kick, about 30 yards out

18′ Gonzalez keeps clearing balls out of our 18. Ricketts is grabbing everything too. Goooooood defense.

16′ Wow, great defensive move by Donovan at the end line.

15′ NY keep possession and movement from giveaway by Beckham

14′ Galaxy pressuring NY well — especially Donovan, Esky, Becks, and Buddle

12′ Beautiful switch of field by Beckham

10′ Angel is giving our left side some trouble

9′ (that’s a questionable yellow)

9′ Kanji went up and over Berhalter, Berhalter called for foul and given yellow card

8′ fouled called on NY, LA free kick

8′ Angel shot, deflected over end line by Ricketts — NY corner

6′ NY shot on goal, easily handled by Ricketts — defense is marking well

3′ GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Eskandarian!!!!!!!!!! — beautiful dipping ball off his left foot.
Nice to have Ricketts back
1:00 foul on Beckham

*Beckham is playing an offensive mid, Migs is all defensive mid — a diamond shape.

Starting line up:

————– Ricketts —————-

DeLaGarza—Gonzalez—Berhalter—Dunivant

Donovan—-Miglioranzi—-Beckham —-Lewis

——-Buddle—-Eskandarian——

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: Player News

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Lee

On the TV the first handball was clear and practically
on the goal line. It had to be called. The second one
could have been the ball playing the hand. Gonzalez
missed the header and the ball hit his arm which was
spread out because he jumped. I've seen that one called
both ways but since Ricketts saved it I'll say the soccer
gods spoke and it shouldn't have been a hand ball. :-)
Diane

The handball calls both looked clear to us, one dangerously close to the line, so those calls probably weren't harsh (if you like the handball rules). Other calls were poor but not with quite the same potential impact.
Colin

Dave, I noticed that too. I doubt if they did it out of spite, but probably more like "you want the ball? prove it." Becks wasn't the sharpest tack on the wall last night either, so it was probably for the best."
DAVE

Great game with 3 fantasic goals. The best part was how the boys didn't give Beckham the ball. He barely got a touch in the second half. Oh yeah all is forgotten..HA
Glen

has crazy is it that we actually have some quality players on the bench, how fast things change from a season ago.
Steve-O

Can you believe we're in 3rd place now?!?!? Ha ha ha! I luv it! I'll take Becks or whoever the heck anyday, as long as they help get us back in the mix. This starting lineup and bench has me smiling.
Laurie

Also, Ricketts impresses me more every time I see him. He's rock steady -- like a taller Kasey Keller. I think so much of the difference this year is that the defense can play with confidence that their goalkeeper will be where he's supposed to be and send the ball where it needs to go. Love ya, Steve Cronin, but night and day.
Glen

Great win on the road and a much needed 3 points. 3rd in the west and 3rd o/a in the league in points. I like it. I missed the 2nd half so I have to dig it up 'cause I want to see how the team looked and also Birchall coming on.

Almost forgot was that truly a hand ball (twice) by Gonzalez or was the ref continuing his crappy calls in favor of the Red Bulls? These ref's are just plain crap.
Diane

We went to the game and a great time was had by all. Since I only see the Galaxy a couple of times a year and in the same setting, changes are obvious and they were all good tonight. Nice atmosphere too -- the crowd but not the air.

I'm sure everyone who can attend matches in LA has seen it all, but, obviously so much good stuff goes on offscreen that us tubeviewers miss. Generally, there were a lot of nice hook-ups, some bits of tricky passing, good moving the ball around, nice anticipation, the goals were well televised I'm sure, and, obviously, the defense was more solid than I'd seen it before -- from front to back actually.

I still love Chris Klein <3 <3 <3. Eskandarian seems like he might be a potential understudy for nicest guy in MLS and that was a gorgeous goal. They were all as good as they looked. And Ricketts was as impressive as I hoped he would be.

It was too hot and swampy, and the turf too punishing, for anyone to be faking being friendly or collegiate. Beckham and Donovan did well together and with the rest of the team, they both hustled, and Donovan's right they do see the game the same way. I know people are angry, but as long as they're on the same team, it would be a great thing for any fan to be able to watch those guys play together the way they are again looking like they can.

Finally, Jen, of COURSE Beckham's short sleeves were a momentous occasion and theories abound: 1) no more OCD or enough therapy so that he can at least give up the cuffs for MLS summers 2) there was a locker room prank similar to short-sheeting only with sleeves 3) the equipment staff didn't believe he was coming back and skipped the long-sleeved shirt order for this season 4) no one can have longer sleeves than the captain from now on ;-) .

Hang ON, I almost forgot! Both Becks AND Donovan remained shirtless, along with several of the other guys, for the post game amenities and interviews. We thought the kickettes would point to this new policy as the obvious remedy to any past or future disharmony amongst the players. Fair enough.
David

Lucky break or finally a good team? I hope the latter.
jen

Oh, I hope not, Lee. I hope this is the start of something good.
Colin

Wow. Looks like my prediction in the last post was right... I think I'm gonna go to Vegas...

Great game overall. Awesome goals. Beckham looked like he didn't really care, which I was expecting, but Birchall looked crisp and looks like he has a very good work rate.

3rd place in the west? Awesome.
Lee

Jen, don't be too happy for Angel. Goal differential could
be important for the G's before it's all over.
Laurie

I could only watch the first half, but Landon looked on fire. Beckham, not so much.

I wish there was a way to let Landon and the guys succeed yet get an epic fail for Beckham.
Lee

I really like Birchall's passing.
Lee

I don't believe I'm actually saying this but we need
to get Beckham more involved in the game.
Lee

Agreed Frank. That mid-season pickup is going to be key
in getting us into the playoffs.
Frank

Me likey the Esky
Glen

damn, I have to leave now. keep writing in the comments everyone.
Glen

kanji likes to take dives, quite the actor
Lee

This one is in danger of becoming a good old fashion
American Ass Whuppin.
Glen

nice assist from Donovan, and lewis took it in the air, I like it :)
Glen

Eddie lewis, GOAL! awesome 3-0
Lee

Ricketts with two excellent saves to keep it clean.
Glen

Rickets saves some great shots there
Lee

Donovan isn't going to go anywhere he won't get 90 minutes.
And frankly, he shouldn't.
jen

Oh Matt, don't tease me!
matt

i hadnt really thought about it til just now but i mean...if he's a backup or gets into the squad at least and plays for whoever they're going to try to replace kaka with...in that sort of role, i mean...it might work?
Glen

where's the yellow card on the foul on buddle
Glen

Matt, love to see Donovan at AC, if he gets playing time :)
Lee

Oh, what a shot from Lando. 2-nil.
Glen

Donovan goal, beautiful!
matt

landon with a SICK goal. maybe becks ended the feud by telling landon that he's coming with him back to milan?
Lee

After that card, I'm starting to agree with you Glen.
Glen

this ref has been crappy so far
Lee

OK, let's not revert to last year defensively.
Lee

Nice shot by Eskandarian.
matt

that was quick
Glen

GOAL!
matt

oh becks landy cakes pre kickoff hug btw! OMGZ! haha.
matt

ok the becks/lando fued has drawn me into this mls game. i take it the galaxy have been pretty good lately.
jen

Oh Glen, that's funny!

Thanks for the links Frank!
Glen

over at http://thelagalaxy.blogspot.co... there's a cool video of Eskandarian's Red Bull drink incident :)
Glen

if anyone needs this, you can watch the game tonight on TVU Networks.
Frank

Here are a couple of pregame reads to hold you over until kickoff.

http://www.insidesocal.com/soc...

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