Home field advantage be damned!

But before that, I must take the time to ask the fine folks in Harrison, New Jersey the $5.6 million question: Do you REALLY need Thierry Henry?

The clear-cut answer: NO.

Case in point: Apparently Hans Backe's New York Red Bulls didn't on Friday night against Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center en route to a 2-0 shutout in front of 27,000 strong.

Goals from Dane Richards in the 36th minute (and with the goal, he becomes our Chicken Thief No. 10) and Juan Pablo Angel in the 60th off a penalty were more than enough against a Galaxy side who were missing Omar Gonzalez more than New York was missing Thierry Henry due to a sprained MCL.

For Los Angeles, in spite of finishing the month with a winning record, it was not the best of ways to end September and it simply reeked of the inept execution and predictable offensive looks that the Beast from the East, Bouna Coundoul, could anticipate from as far as Compton.

This was another depressing performance from Los Angeles. No heart, no execution, nothing.

Arena knew the importance of getting this win, and with the defeat, Real Salt Lake gets a chance to claim the ascendancy on Saturday against the Colorado Rapids.

I don't like picking on the young folks so much, but Yohance Marshall has to quit sleeping in the backfield. The back line played like a malediction's delight, but Marshall turned in a performance worthy of being benched for the rest of the year. He hasn't proven to be quick enough to cut it at this level. Marshall is going to need some time to anticipate the forward runs. He stunk it up.

Mercy, if only Gregg Berhalter's neck was fine, Marshall would still be sharpening up with those Austin Aztex.

And I can sense that many are fed up with the love for David Beckham from the media, but I think it was important that in spite of the defeat, the Galaxy's No. 23 played the full 90 minutes to get himself prepped up for the October stretch.

The Galaxy's defending did not bother to show up and execute, and fans can only hope that Gonzalez doesn't pick the wrong time to get suspended again. In fact, he's going to have to watch the cards that he accumulates from now on; it's just not acceptable for him to not be in the starting lineup at this juncture of the season.

You know what the worst thing about all this is? I'll have you take a guess.

Ten seconds. Five seconds. Time's up.

A certain team who occupies the same facility (and whose rent is still due on the first as per the rumours of its blue and gold rival supporters) may see something they like regarding the vulnerabilities.

That's right, next up for the Galaxy is Chivas USA in the Honda SuperClasico. If there was ever a time for Los Angeles to take their frustrations out on someone, October 3 might as well be their lucky day.

Wireless Fail at the Home Depot Center?

Apparently the performance by the Los Angeles Galaxy wasn't the only lowlight of the evening. I had some difficulty uploading the play-by-play (and other miscellany) of this game to Bleacher Report and the View because the wireless connection was atrocious.

Simply put, this was a day to be damned on the home front. The Galaxy coaches' gameplan backfired, the players failed to execute, and the press box wireless hubs took the wrong night off in front of a sellout crowd.

Gee, guys; you people on Victoria Street got some explaining to do!


The Briggs...aBriggsviated!?

It's also not just those three factors that went south; it's the decision-making of the front office.

I feel for the punk rock band known as The Briggs, and their fans at Victoria Street on Friday. They were only able to play an abbreviated version of "This Is L.A." instead of the full version that should have been played at halftime instead of the kids getting on to the pitch.

And you know, I don't get the approach by the front office. I am a frequent poster on the BigSoccer forums and it seems to me that the "family-friendly" approach to things isn't working one bit.

Here's a thought, front office: If you're going to bring a rock band of this pedigree to the Home Depot Center, have them perform at halftime instead of letting the little boogers get on to the pitch. The fans deserve better than this, and you know it.

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