The drama of a 1-1 result: Galaxy v Red Bulls post-game commentary

I don’t think I’ve ever been this entertained by a 1-1 draw in MLS since I started watching the league back in 1996 as a half-season ticket holder for DC United. And it’s not just because that’s the scoreline I predicted yesterday (because it you read me regularly, you know that’s basically a fluke). No, this was certainly the best game of the 2011 MLS season if you factor in the quality of both teams, the weather, the effort, the drama, and the overall product on the field. It was enthralling for the full 90 minutes and, despite the questionable calls by the officiating team that impacted the Galaxy gol total, I left feeling the tie was a fair result.

The best part was that my prediction, drawn from watching the FC Dallas game, regarding a choppy game of disruption and counterattacks was completely off-base. Instead we got a fast-paced game of crisp passing, build-ups, great runs, high-level golkeeping, and energetic attacks. It seems my concerns about the Galaxy offense just require a massive home game in order to be put to rest. Both Juan Pablo Angel and Chad Barrett were effective and dangerous though neither got on the scoresheet. Angel’s gol was called back for being a step offside (kudos to the linesman, though it was so close – you can see Angel’s right foot was in line with Tim Ream’s left – that reasonable people could say that this is the kind of situation FIFA has in mind when they say offside calls should favor the offensive player when only part of the player is beyond the defensive player) and Barrett was industrious all game long, even putting some good shots on gol. I can understand why he still has partisans in Chicago and Toronto despite his history of missing sitters in the most dramatic way possible.

Kind of like Tim Ream’s clearance off the line of Landon Donovan’s open-gol dribbler of a shot taken after he had juked Bouna Coundoul. Replays were unsatisfactory in showing whether or not that was completely over the line or not. That play is a persuasive argument for gol-line cameras and official review. In the end, Donovan needed to hit it with more pace and you have to admire Ream’s never say die attitude. That’s one of the reasons why I think he’s the best American centerback in MLS right now (Omar Gonzalez is my number 2). On the other hand, Donovan’s precisely placed header from a David Beckham corner kick beat Coundoul and tie the score late in first half.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised by the ability of the Galaxy offense to exploit the space that the New York backline left during the first half. The absence of Teemu Tainio was keenly felt since Mehdi Ballouchy doesn’t bring the same grit in the back and isn’t all that dangerous as a ball distributor. That and the decision to play a high line gave the Galaxy ample space to put together attack after attack and force Coundoul into some of this best saves of the season (though the Galaxy squandered several opportunities by shooting right at him). This was despite having Mike Magee on the field who continues his streak of not playing up to his abilities since peaking against Chicago. If the Galaxy can continue to play up to this potential, then I’ll be less worried about where the gols are going to come from and can go back to fretting about having the defense shredded the way New York did during Thierry Henry’s 4th minute gol. That was great play from New York and a great inividual show of skill from Henry. It was also a bit of an embarrassment for a defensive line that should not have allowed Henry into that space to begin with.

That said, the defense did a stand-up job for the rest of the game. Dane Richards, who can be so very dangerous because of this speed, was a non-factor for most of the game. Henry, despite some very fancy footwork down the left side of the field in the first half – that alone was worth the price of admission – was mostly forced into playing in the middle of the field, and Luke Rodgers was unable to play the disorienting role he often plays against lesser defenses. Even Juan Agudelo was a non-factor. Donovan Ricketts came up huge several times, a nice change from Dallas, and Todd Dunivant continued his iron man work while also providing more offense than usual. A late attack from him in the box was ended by what I thought could have fairly been called a penalty, but often isn’t, so I’m not so put out by it.

In fact, I’m not put out at all. It was a great game and despite some quibbles, a fair result. A third of the season in, I think the Galaxy is starting to gel – at least when they give a focused effort for 90 minutes. They can certainly play with one of the best in MLS, a far cry from the embarrassment of the early season game in Sandy that will require a bit of revenge come October – and it will be for much higher stakes, too. This was an example of where the Galaxy are going and how good then can be if they can better integrate their key players into the attack and find ways to fully utilize the strengths of some of their newer players like Miguel Lopez and Paolo Cardozo (who didn’t even make the bench). For the first time all season I’m basically satisfied with my game experience and getting excited for more.

Man of the Match: Landon Donovan who picked up the team and led by example.

What about you? What did you think of the game? Was it as good as I think it was? Who is your man of the match? What impressed you? What worries you? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Thierry Henry dribbling clinic:

Game highlights:

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: 2011 Season, post-game analysis