T-180 minutes to kickoff: I wanted to start this P-B-P with a little synopsis of the game "Super Mario Galaxy 2" for the Nintendo Wii. Spoilers abound for the plot, but not for the gameplay.

Princess Peach invites Mario to the Star Festival, a time when Star Bits rain down from the skies over the Mushroom Kingdom. On his way, Mario finds a Luma, who immediately befriends him and grants him the ability to spin.

Shortly thereafter, Mario's archnemesis Bowser, who has grown to an immense size, invades and attacks the Mushroom Kingdom. Kidnapping the princess, Bowser escapes into outer space to create his empire at the center of the universe again.

T-170: After launching into outer space, Mario is given control of Starship Mario, a mobile planetoid in the shape of his head, made by a crafty Luma mechanic called Lubba, powered by Power Stars, and piloted by other Lumas.

His mission is to fly across the universe in pursuit of Bowser and the Princess and to help Lubba find the lost Lumas that were part of Bowser's plot. Along the way Mario meets new Lumas and joins up with his companion Yoshi.

T-160: Upon collecting enough Power Stars, Starship Mario reaches Bowser's main fortification, draining energy from what appears to be a comet.

Mario infiltrates the castle and defeats Bowser, but is forced to retreat when Bowser reappears; Mario then ultimately defeats him and lands on a small flower-covered planetoid before Princess Peach, riding the Grand Star, comes down and thanks him.

Together, they return to Starship Mario, where everyone is looking at the comet that Bowser was siphoning energy from.

T-150: Suddenly, it transforms into the Comet Observatory from the first Super Mario Galaxy, and Rosalina is heard thanking Mario for watching over the Luma that he had found.

The Luma returns to the Comet Observatory, taking Mario's cap with him, before the Comet Observatory transforms into a comet and leaves.

Eventually, Mario and his companions return to the Mushroom Kingdom, where a large cake stands in front of Peach's Castle and Starship Mario sits in the sky above. THE END.

T-140: However, it didn't take into account that after Mario and company went back to the castle, Lubba and the other Luma denizens on Starship Mario (as well as the people in the Mushroom Kingdom) decided to go watch a game of football here aboard the Starship Victoria, a.k.a. the Home Depot Center.

T-130: The game in question is today's contest featuring the Los Angeles Galaxy and Houston Dynamo, which is sponsored by the game Super Mario Galaxy 2, and which was a dirty, cheeky way to segue to this P-B-P.

T-120: The Dynamo will be hoping to turn their fortunes around. They are lingering at 5-5-1, and a humbling 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Union has Dominic Kinnear's club looking for answers.

T-115: Just to make matters worse, the Dynamo lost to the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday 2-1.

T-110: As for the Galaxy, they are 9-0-2 and will look for win No. 10 on the season to kick off the month of June.

T-100: Houston's next three matches will include a June 26 home match with the Colorado Rapids, a July 1 meeting with Toronto FC at BMO Field and a July 10 home date with the Columbus Crew, who the Galaxy defeated 2-0 last week.

T-90: As for the Galaxy, their next three matches include a June 9 road contest with Real Salt Lake, a June 26 trip to BMO to take on Toronto and an Independence Day match with Seattle Sounders FC. Heads-up there; due to convention work, expect a preview of that match a few hours after I post my take on the proceedings at TFC.

T-70: Line-ups:

T-60: An hour to go. Plug time: later this weekend, be sure check out the next edition of the "View from the Pali," the new section in the View from Victoria Street. This Saturday, the Pali Blues Soccer Club face the Santa Clarita Blue Heat at the World Famous Stadium by the Sea.

T-50: Our match referee is Paul Ward. Linesmen are Sean Hurd and Eric Boria. Alejandro Mariscal is our fourth official.

T-45: Also earlier this week, the San Jose Earthquakes tied the Columbus Crew 2-2. Other MLS contests this weekend include Toronto FC vs. Kansas City Wizards, New York Red Bulls vs. Chivas USA, D.C. United vs. Real Salt Lake, Chicago Fire vs. Philadelphia Union, FC Dallas vs. the Quakes, Colorado Rapids vs. the Crew and the Seattle Sounders vs. New England Revolution.

T-40: Speaking of Los Revs, I do express my best wishes to Preston Burpo as he makes his slow recovery from that horrific broken leg against the New York Red Bulls.

T-30: The short passes and the counterattack will be LA's bread and butter today, but for best results, keeping Brian Ching in check will guarantee that the Galaxy puts a chokehold on the competition. (I admit, my alliteration is abhorrent.)

T-25: No plushies today. Up until today, I generally bring a plushie from my collection of curios for good luck. However, I want to test and see if it will not make much difference regarding the outcome (i.e. the Galaxy win or draw). Stay tuned.

T-20: Edson Buddle and Omar Gonzalez are one caution away from suspended for the next game. Suspended this week include Chivas USA's Zach Thornton, KC's Davy Arnaud, and Toronto FC's Leo Percovich and Martin Saric.

T-15: Congrats to Edson for his brace against Australia and to former Galaxy ace Herculez Gomez for his insurance strike against the Socceroos.

T-10: Parade of Champions. To youth, once again.

T-3: Charles Martinet, a.k.a. the Voice of Mario, extends his greetings.

T-0: First, we hold a moment of silence for John Wooden. Rest in peace. Our national anthem is performed by Claudia Ruano.

1' - And we are off. The Galaxy will look to set the tempo early.

1' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 9 Jovan Kirovski Assists 28 Sean Franklin and 26 Michael Stephens

Excellent delivery on the cross for Kirovski. And suddenly, the G's are setting the pace early, as I anticipated. Houston will be on their heels. What a start.

3' - Set piece time. Pat Onstad saves that shot by Juninho.

4' - Here's Craig Waibel. Bowen lost control on that counter.

5' - Who amongst the Dynamo will be the self-anointed Chicken Thief Number Three? Stay tuned as Brad Davis sets the pace for Houston.

7' GOAL! Houston Dynamo 15 Cam Weaver

Ouch. Poor Cam Weaver. He may be the one that steals the chicken today, but not without a price. But that was terrible defending by Ricketts. It's a freak goal of the worst proportions, and this is going make it a game.

9' - So much for the shutout. Set piece. That's cleared.

10' - At least Weaver didn't break his leg like Preston Burpo. This is going to give Houston some momentum.

12' - Tristan Bowen didn't have enough space and angle on that chance. He'll need to work on that.

13' - Oh no, Mario is at it again. Where the heck is Bowser when you need him!?

14' - Good turnout today.

15' - Short passing will work. Here comes Houston on the counterattack 46 seconds...third fastest goal in club history, the Kirovski strike.

17' - Corner for LA after Bowen is marked.

18' - This is Juninho. deflected. And another Dynamo player is down. It's Bobby Bosworth suffering a shot to the gut by Juninho.

19' - Great speed by Eddie Robinson.

20' - Lovel Palmer has impressed the Dynamo camp this year. A former trialist, Palmer is making a splash. Goal kick Ricketts.

Robinson intercepts the pass by Alex Cazumba, but here come the G's again!

21' GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 9 Jovan Kirovski Assists 28 Sean Franklin and 26 Michael Stephens

And LA retakes the lead. Maybe the FO will be fine not trading Kirovski after all, as some denizens on BigSoccer were alluding to.

22' - Now that was an interesting clearance.

23' - Alex Cazumba, pursuant to the issue.

24' - That's a good tactic right there. And this is who I will highlight in the next installment of "This Is the Los Angeles Galaxy."

25' - Not a good shot by Palmer. Goal kick.

26' - This is a free-flowing game, Good tackle by Waibel.

27' - Ambitious one-time by Bowen. Just missed wide right.

28' - Wave after wave of attacking looks are the G's calling card this half.

29' - Todd Dunivant, highlight on the most recent edition of "This Week Inside The Galaxy" on YouTube (do check it out), with the throw-in.

30' - Here's Weaver again. Great save by Ricketts on the shot by Brian Ching. Little bit of redemption.

31' - This is Gregg Berhalter. His pass to Kirovski is kept in check by Robinson.

32' - Onstad learning a lesson from the Burpo incident by staying on his line.

33' - Houston will look to equalize and make this a match again. Galaxy reset possession.

34' - Waibel is holding Alex Cazumba's touches late this half. Excellent.

35' - Danny Cruz could have made it 2-2 if that pass to Ching was right on the money.

36' - Houston go back on the attack. Sportsmanlike act by Bowen on Waibel. Respect for your fellow player. Class act.

37' - Back come the Dynamo. Here's a chance for Andrew Hainault. No one in the vicinity. Goal kick.

38' - More than 100 viewing parties in the Southland for the World Cup. Good times, good times.

39' - The WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks will be playing later tonight on a outdoor court outside of the stadium. Oh, that was nearly 3-1, but Tristan Bowen got held up.

40' - Rough challenge by Ching. "US Reject!" chant the Angel City Brigade. To their defense...they do have a point. Set piece saved by Onstad. Goal kick.

41' - Dubious pass inside the box by Cazumba. Nonetheless, here he goes again. And Tristan Bowen, boy did he want that one. Trial and error here.

42' - That's Hainault with the dispossession. Birchall will want that pass back.

43' - Close to the end of the first half, and that shot by Bowen had 3-1 written all over it. He'll want that one back. A lesson well learned.

44' - "So here aboard the Starship Galaxy we have our own laboratory: a football pitch." - Lubba

45' - Three minutes of stoppage time. Corner for the Dynamo. Goal kick for Ricketts. That was a horrible corner.

45' + 1' - Good work by Boswell and Hainault teaming up to stop the feed by Juninho in the G's attacking third.

45' + 2' - Goal kick Ricketts.

45' + 3' - One more set piece from Houston before the half.

Halftime whistle blows. Good one we have. It's 2-1 heading into the break.

In other action, New York leads Chivas USA 1-0, D.C. United and Real Salt Lake are scoreless, Chicago leads Philadelphia 1-0, FC Dallas and San Jose are scoreless and so are Colorado and Columbus.

Earlier today, Toronto and Kansas City played to a scoreless draw.

Shots
Los Angeles Galaxy 7
Houston Dynamo 6

Shots on Goal
Los Angeles Galaxy 4
Houston Dynamo 2

Saves
Los Angeles Galaxy 1
Houston Dynamo 2

Fouls
Los Angeles Galaxy 9
Houston Dynamo 6

Corner Kicks
Los Angeles Galaxy 2
Houston Dynamo 0

Offsides
Los Angeles Galaxy 0
Houston Dynamo 0

46' - The second half is underway. Consolidation or Equalization? That is the question.

47' - Goal kick for Ricketts. The Big Cat from Montego Bay draws everyone forward.

48' - Back come the Dynamo. And that was a horrid pass by Corey Ashe.

49' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 17 Tristan Bowen.

Pat Onstad is having an long, ugly day, as Mr. Jimmy Watson from Fox Sports West put it. Things have gotten from bad to worse for Houston. Finally the goal comes for Bowen. It's his second of the season.

50' - This Galaxy team got the three goals I was calling for. Maybe the margin will come next?

51' - Foul on Brad Davis. Dubious pass in the Dynamo half. The Men in Orange will need to organize better. The Riot Squad get some face time.

53' - For the record, I beat the game, Super Mario Galaxy 2. Fantastic stuff.

54' - Here is Hainault. The pass to Ashe went south. Goal kick.

55' - Uh, guys, you're on camera...

56' - Here come the Dynamo again. Whoops.

GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 88 Alex Cazumba

Ay Ziggy Zoomba, Alex Cazumba! Houston, we have a problem.
Cazumba opens his scoring account. Excellent goal streaking from the left side, and what a way to add to the lead.

58' - Cazumba had space to make that shot, and that's the Brazilliance we've been expecting from him. Goal kick Ricketts.

59' - Substitution Houston Dynamo

IN
23 Dominic Oduro
9 Brian Mullan

OUT
5 Danny Cruz
16 Craig Waibel

60' - Pure sympathy, Paul Ward. Smooth move, Ex Lax.

Yellow card 16 Gregg Berhalter
Los Angeles Galaxy

61' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 7 Chris Klein
OUT 19 Juninho

62' - Here they come...no penalty called. Is Wardsy being sympathetic here? One would think that was a spot kick opportunity.

63' - Bowen was looking for a foul over the top. No dice.

64' - A little square dancing by Dominic Oduro on Tristan Bowen. Wait a sec, this is no time for a hoedown! But it sure looks like it's time for a beatdown. Already in progress.

65' - Sean Franklin with the throw-in.

66' - Great defense by LA. The backline double-marked Ching, and it paid off.

67' - Awww, was that going to be Burpo revisited? Whew! Glad that was offsides.

68' - Substitution Houston Galaxy
IN 8 Brian Mullan
OUT 11 Brad Davis

69' - Ricketts REALLY went off her line there. He's all right, though. The Brigade jumps as one unit.

70' - Too long for Chris Klein.

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 84 Clint Mathis
OUT 9 Jovan Kirovski

71' - Here's Bowen. He is marked, and the Galaxy rotates the possession. Questionable pass for Cazumba.

72' - Wildfires outside? I can see some haze from where I am sitting.

73' - Corner for Houston. Wide left. Goal kick for Ricketts.

74' - As I suspected, Paul Ward is as sympathetic as they come to the Dynamo in terms of officiating. No penalty.

75' - Solid save by Ricketts. Angel City Brigade chants "Buffalo Soldier," a Bob Marley standard.

76' - Back comes Houston. Here comes a corner. Final scores: New York 1, Chivas USA 0 and DC United settle for a scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake. Side netting for Robinson. Goal kick Ricketts.

77' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 20 A.J. De La Garza
OUT 16 Gregg Berhalter

78' - Houston will look to throw everything and the kitchen sink. The pace will accelerate as we wrap this baby up. Looks like I didn't need the plushies today. This shows you how impressive the Galaxy have played.

79' - Attendance for the match is 20,826. Nice turnout. Perhaps it was because Mario was there? Textbook marking by Brian Mullan on Bowen.

80' - Bowen will need to sharpen his passing just a little bit more. But so far, he's doing his job.

81' - Another good save by Ricketts to haul that in.

82' - Bowen had a lot of chances today. There's another that just went by him.

83' - We are 83 minutes into this affair, and braces by Kirovski combined with goals by Bowen and Cazumba have made this a 4-1 contest.

84' - Houston look a tired bunch.

85' - Dunivant calls on his men to take some time off this clock and wrap this up.

86' - Throw-in for Omar Gonzalez.

87' - That was not the best cross from Chris Klein.

88' - Fans are leaving the stadium, having seen enough. Goal kick for Ricketts. This Dynamo side just gave up.

89' - "Undefeated!" chant the ACB. Just short passes now from the Galaxy, maybe to consolidate the score in vain, who knows. FC Dallas now leads San Jose 2-0.

90' - How many minutes, Alejandro Mariscal? Three.

90' + 3' - That is a wrap.

Stay tuned for my take on this match on Bleacher Report and The View From Victoria Street.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

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