If Thursday's contest between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes were an Iron Chef duel, the outcome would be inconclusive, and the Iron Chef would remain unbeaten.

In this case, the Iron Chefs of the Los Angeles Galaxy faced their strongest challenger yet in their Northern California rivals, as both sides continued the tradition of the California Clasico at the football Kitchen Stadium known as the Home Depot Center before 17,712.

The one ingredient that the Earthquakes lacked was not so secret: Landon Donovan. His 90th minute strike was the reason the Galaxy salvaged a draw, and a reason why this storied derby will be decided at Buck Shaw Stadium in one month's time.

But to be honest, offensively this was just an absolute nightmare that the Galaxy only woke out of after the last of LA's 22 shots. Buddle nearly got his brace, but Donovan was there to follow through and tap it home.

I can now understand why Commissioner Don Garber is fighting [albeit in vain] to keep Donovan in the league for the long haul. He continues to deliver in the clutch. When the game is on the line, the Galaxy have the edge, and that edge is wearing the No. 10 jersey.

So let me get this straight: Bruce Arena's Galaxy won 10 corners, and failed to convert any of them?  Frank Yallop's Quakes only had one corner, and that was converted.

This is what I call a malediction's delight. (Whippersnappers refer to this by the 23rd, 20th, and sixth letters of the English alphabet in succession.) It's futility at it's finest.

The Quakes should have won this contest. Their team speed made it very difficult for the Galaxy backline to adjust on the transition and their counterattack.

Donovan Ricketts was not getting any help from his defense tonight, and he also struggled in the second and 72nd minutes to make saves.

It's these types of breakdowns in defense that give a certain team from Bayamon hope. (More on them later and also in the preview of that match.)

But, the one thing that really ticked me off today was the finishing.

20th minute : a bad touch from Edson Buddle with space open.

23rd minute : a shot goes wide.

49th minute : shot goes off the crossbar and Bobby Convey clears the would-be equalizer.

Set pieces: stopped. Open space: neutralized.

This was a spirited defensive effort from the Earthquakes.

Thursday saw the Galaxy pay the price for not bailing Ricketts out. Thursday also saw Ricketts pay the price for botching his saves early and often. And finally, Thursday saw the team capitulate on just about all of its chances to finish.

All, save for two.

Buddle's goal in the 60th minute was his 12th of the season. Although, I don't think he will be on pace to break the 27 set by Roy Lassiter in 1996. Blame it on the World Cup. Seriously.

Donovan became the not-so-secret ingredient that prevented the NorCal house specialty of the San Jose Earthquakes from upstaging the home cooking courtesy of the league leading Los Angeles Galaxy.

Chicken Thief No. 5: Bobby Convey

We got poultry heisters of the highest order. Case in point: this MLS All-Star from San Jose, who took advantage of a lousy save from Donovan Ricketts in the second minute of play. Convey did well to open his scoring account this season, and who better to open it up against than the G's?

For me, I just don't think Ricketts has lived up to his All-Star status. I would fear for the worst if Manchester United is thinking to themselves, "Another W for us on our tour"...although I would expect as much.


More Home Cooking, with a little CONCACAF mixed in

Next up for the Galaxy is a break from MLS play, and a preliminary round duel with the Puerto Rico Islanders on Tuesday. It has not been a season to remember for Colin Clarke's men, who linger at the bottom of the USSF D2 Pro League USL Conference.

I can bet you that hope will be springing eternal for this team after San Jose gave Los Angeles all they can handle. The mindset could be, "hey, our season can be saved after all."

Can the Galaxy rebound from getting their blushed spared by two players that most likely will not be suiting up Tuesday? A preview of the match will be posted later this week.

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