Ever heard of the song by AC/DC entitled "Back In Business?" For those of you who have, it doesn't take a minute to realize the the Los Angeles Galaxy's scoring touch was back in business again. And would you believe it: by the grace of the football gods, they were able to diversify their portfolio for once.

Only 53 seconds into LA's initial ordeal with the Philadelphia Union, it was A.J. De La Garza who opened the proceedings. Edson Buddle—known more for his finishing than his facilitating ability—proved he can also deliver in other ways. His delivery found De La Garza, and it set the tone for a 3-1 victory before a crowd of 15,453 at the Home Depot Center.

De La Garza's goal was the second-fastest in club history. The fastest goes to current Galaxy member Clint Mathis, who scored one against the Kansas City Wizards in a match that took place during the 1999 season.

Coincidentally, Mathis made his season debut on Saturday, marking his 250th appearance for the Galaxy. Well done, you vet.

Let's go back, however, to Mr. 14. As you all know, this year's Buddle would not be this year's Buddle without this year's Buddle getting one, right? Right? So he did, starting with the 27th minute. A scramble of the corner from Landon Donovan almost saw Alan Gordon earn his first of the season. Instead, it was Buddle who got this eighth of the year doing it the tried and true way.

Note to self, Edson: don't try to pull off a Chaleira if you are in traffic inside the box. Stick with your bread and butter, please?

Buddle completed his brace late in the first half with a pass in the transition from Landon Donovan. The goal in the 45th minute was his ninth of the season.
And that was, for all intents and purposes, all that the Galaxy needed aside from some sound defending in the second half.

But wait a minute here. Holy smokes, let's look at this again: nine goals in six matches. That's a blistering 3 to 2 ratio. Now here is how it's all done in Major League Soccer (and this is what I am most proud about). Everybody plays each other once on the road and once at home. There are 24 matches remaining.
 
So let me get this straight: could Buddle be on pace to score 45 goals this season? Really? No way, you have to be kidding me, oh statistics! The current MLS single-season record is 27 goals by Roy Lassiter, in 1996, the inaugural year. Buddle's already a third of the way there, and we aren't even a fourth of the way into the season.

If you are out there in Austin, Roy Lassiter, you'd better be keeping an eye on this one. At this rate, Buddle couls pass him by World Cup's end, if not before. And this is assuming that Bradley commits suicide by not calling up Buddle, or if no team outside of the league tempts Edson with an offer he can't refuse. Stay tuned, pardner.

Now it's time for some ins and outs from this match:

Chicken Thief No. 2 - Jack McInerney

This week's Chicken Thief comes from the unlikeliest of culprits. Why, it's none other than big Jack McInerney. Fresh from his role as a member of the USA Youth National teams, McInerney shows what he can do when a team's defense bites on the transition. His goal late in the 84th minute is a clear sign of things to come. Look out for Jack, he's on his way.

Donovan Ricketts...a potential three-sport athlete?

Fans inside Victoria Street got treated to something normally reserved for the diamond or the gridiron. In the 42nd minute, Ricketts threw the ball well into the Galaxy's attacking half.

This brings up an interesting question: could Ricketts be a successful three-sport athlete? That had all the muscle of a quarterback and the arm of a center-fielder. If Jamaica had their own baseball team or American football team, Ricketts should be under consideration to play international matches for those sides. That is one heck of an arm.

I am going to take the Fifth on speculating if Ricketts had a future bowling for the West Indies cricket team.

More musings off the streets of Philadelphia

Apologies, Bruce Springsteen.

Where the heck was Danny Mwanga? Don't tell me you were trying to save him for the match against the Sounders, Piotr Nowak. I am sure the fans wanted to see what the overall top MLS SuperDraft pick could do; he WAS available, you know.

Actually, forget about Mwanga; where was Sebastien Le Toux? I could have sworn that the match would have been a shave closer if Le Toux was starting today. Zis is an outrage!

Speaking of outrageous, how about the brain explosion by Stefani Miglioranzi. Mama mia, Stefani, come on you didn't have to go late on Juninho, capisce? A late tackle on the Brazilian was enough for Yader Reyes to send the former Galaxy player marching with a head full of steam while the supporters sung a certain classic ditty by a band with the same name.

I leave it to you to figure that out. As for me, I'm still trying to figure out why Nowak decided to make the team run sprints after their Open Cup defeat to the New York Red Bulls. It sure didn't make any difference Saturday night, that's for sure.

Finally, the Sons of Ben were A.W.O.L. at the Home Depot Center. While they should be lauded for their hard work in getting an MLS team to Philly, these fellows were nowhere to be seen. I reckon the flights to Los Angeles and back played a big factor in the absence, but that's just me.
 

Big road trip twin-around for Galaxy

This contest with the Union is the first of three matches in eight days for the Galaxy. This Wednesday, Dick's Sporting Goods Park welcomes LA as they clash with the Colorado Rapids. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT.

Next Saturday, the Galaxy will be in Seattle to take on the Sounders. Kickoff for that match at Qwest Field is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. PT.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

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