Same Old Galaxy...

I want you to hold up one finger, it doesn't matter which one, it could be your thumb or index finger or heck even your middle would work in this situation. Now take a good hard look at that one finger and realize that is how many redeeming things you can take away from the Galaxy loss to Colorado on Saturday night at the Home Depot Center. Rookie center back Omar Gonzalez scored his first MLS goal that levelled the score at one going in to the break. Once again the Galaxy started slow, really, really slow as renowned Galaxy killer Connor Casey score a tap in off a soft cross that should have been played by keeper Josh Saunders just 17 seconds (yes 17 seconds) in to the game. It was a play that made Galaxy fans long for the days of Steve Cronin in goal and Chris Klein at right back. That should have been taken as an omen by the 17,000 or so in attendance( man is it dropping faster that the Dow).

What started as the worst opening to a match in LA Galaxy history ended up being the absolute worst defensive and goal keeping performances the squad has put together under Bruce Arena. Tony Sanneh made one mistake after another all night, and he is supposed to be the leader of the defense, Sean Franklin gave away the ball on what led to the game winning goal and Eddie Lewis didn't even go the full 90. The saddest part of all is that the Colorado Rapids tend to be a defensive minded team that will not allow many shots and hope to win one or two to nil off counter attacks. The defensive stout Rapids only allowed two shots on goal, and lucky for the Galaxy Preston Burpo sucked enough that both scored. Although to be fair he had no chance on the Gonzalez goal. The second Galaxy goal came off a beautiful 25 yard run up the right side by Franklin, and as he cut towards the middle he found Landon Donovan who then laid it gift wrapped to Alan Gordon (that is the only way he would ever be able to finish). That goal gave the team and fans a sense of hope, for two freakin minutes. TWO minutes, I mean can I get just a little defense. I am not asking them to be Italy in the World Cup or anything, but come on how about at least marking your man Tony Sanneh so he doesn't get a break away. I don't think that is too much to ask, and if you can't do it that it is time to be retired, again! Both the tying and winning goals for the Rapids were scored when Connor Casey made suspected offsides runs in one on one with the hapless and saveless Saunders (again not a typo, the half wit keeper made ZERO freakin saves tonight). A few other mistakes in coming off his line in timid fashion led to a couple of Rapids firing shots wide of goal. Because obviously if the were on goal they would have scored and the score would not have been so close.

Now for the ghosts of Lalas past. Ugo Ihemelu played his 100th MLS game Saturday in the place were it all began for him, as he played his first 54 games as the heart of the Galaxy defensive center. Ty Harden played a little tonight, but back in 2007 he was the Galaxy defender of the year. And last year when the Galaxy was sitting atop the allocation list and Corey Gibbs name became available they passed on him. Give Alexi Lalas and the poor referee Michael Kennedy (he gave Dema Kovalenko a strait red card on a one footed hard challenge that maybe warranted a yellow) an assist on the Rapids win Saturday. Minor props to Landon Donovan for getting his 70th and 71st career assists. The two side play again in Open Cup play on Tuesday, but don't expect either side to field there A teams.