Pando Ramirez scored two wonderful goals for CSD Municipal as the Guatemalan side edged the Columbus Crew 2-1 in a must-win game for his team. Municipal came in to the game needing a win to keep hopes alive of qualifying to the next round in the CONCACAF Champions League and they achieved just that.

The top two teams in the group advance, and the Crew sit in second place with nine points while Municipal climbed to eight points, though they remain in third place. Mexico's Santos Laguna advanced to the top of group with 10 points after a 5-1 win over Trinidad's Joe Public.

The Crew used an alternate lineup to rest some of their players in this game. But Ramirez expressed pride in the victory. "They had several first-team players, they weren't missing very many. The important thing is that we won, independently of who came and who didn't," he said.

Despite a heavy downpour that dampened the field, Municipal were quick and proactive, attacking early and often. Their perseverance was rewarded when Ramirez eluded a Crew defender with a series of swerving cuts before unleashing a monster shot from about 35 meters away into the back of the net in the 19th minute.

Twenty minutes later, Ramirez would again score after a beautiful through pass from Marvin Avila reached Pando's foot, who curled it towards goal. Crew keeper Andy Gruenebaum was able to partially deflect the ball, which sailed upwards but ultimately dipped into the goal.

Nearing the end of halftime, a corner kick in Crew's favor sailed past the defenders in the near post and found Andy Iro in point-blank range who drilled it past Municipal's keeper, Rony Alvarez.

In the second half both teams had chances to score, but neither was able to move the scoreboard. Municipal was perhaps closest as a Mario Rodriguez cross was not cleared effectively and left Avila with a goalie-less net. However, a Crew defender blocked the shot, which may have been off-target anyway.

Rodriguez had another clear chance for himself as he was left alone in front of goal. His shot, however, went straight to Gruenbaum who pounced on the ball.

Nearing the end of the game, conditions continued to worsen as the rain kept pouring. Scuffles between the two teams, including players and managers, began to break out. The referee ended the game as injury time expired while arguments were getting heated, averting further trouble.

Now Municipal have to beat Santos in Mexico to guarantee a pass to the next round. Meanwhile, the Crew also need a win against Joe Public to guarantee advancement. Santos can guarantee themselves a place with just a tie, but Joe Public is already eliminated.

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On Tuesday night, September 28, 2010, EA Sports kicked off their newest soccer game FIFA Soccer 11 with a Launch Party. Taking place in heart of SoHo Red Bull Space, soccer fans were treated to a night of gaming, food, drinks, and a DJ set featuring Ladytron.

Amongst the guests were the New York Red Bulls supporter clubs, the Empire Supporters Club and the Garden State Supporters. Both supporter clubs had the opportunity to meet and take photos with players from the New York Red Bulls. 

Coming off a huge 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy, Dane Richards, Tony Tchani, Medhi Ballouchy, Irving Garcia, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Conor Chinn, Austin da Luz, Roy Miller, Jeremy Hall, Juan Aguelo, and Brian Nielsen squared off against each other in a Launch Party Tournament.

Sinisa Ubiparipovic won the tournament when he bested Conor Chinn in the Championship Match. After the tournament, the players mingled with their fans and other guests. While the players were interacting with the fans and media alike, I had the opportunity to talk with Sean Ruiz.

While many fans may not recognize Sean, trust me when I say this...he's as important to the team as the players, coaches, and management. While the latter are obviously more visible to the public and receive more press time, Sean has been with the Red Bulls since 2005.

Joining his father Fernando, who's been with the team since 1996, Sean kicked off his career with the Red Bulls Academy from 2005-06. During that span, Sean also worked with the Panama National Team during the 2006 Gold Cup before switching to the Red Bulls first team in 2007.

"I'll be honest, winning does make a difference. Despite last year's record, we (the team) were still tight and tried to make the best out of the situation. The steps that the coaches and management have taken has been great," stated Sean.

Currently in his third season with the first team, Sean is the team's Assistant Equipment Manager. It's a job he enjoys because he directly works with the players and coaching staff. His day normally begins at 7 a.m. where he sets up equipment in the pitch and sets up the locker room prior to the players and coaches arrival.

Along with his day to day operations, he's also responsible for handling the team's equipment at Red Bull Arena and for road games. Traveling with the team, he pointed out that variables like weather, location, playing field will determine what to pack for each individual player and coach.

One cool thing about his position is that Sean himself prints all the jerseys for every player. For those of you who adores Bouna Coundoul's jersey, please thank Sean because it was his idea. 

When asked his relationship with the coaches, Sean replied, "I'm treated and respected like a player. If I arrive late for a team meeting, miss curfew on road games, or I hold up the team bus, I'm automatically fined."

As far as Sean's interaction with the team, I didn't even bother asking. During our conversation players like Dane Richards would walk to us and give him a fist bump.

When you think about it, Sean is the team's liaison for both young and veterans players and coaches. With a roster consisting of veteran and young players, a guy like Sean is good to have around because he can relate to the younger players. Along with that, he's been with the organization for a long time that he's able to help them with their adjustment to the team.

Players and coaches are important in any team organization but it's the people behind the scenes that makes their lives easier. Once again, I thank Sean for taking a moment of his time to talk me about his role with the team and I wish him the best of luck with the organization. 

Cesar Diaz covers Soccer for Latino Sports. Please send him your questions and comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy have elected to look at their upcoming match against Martin Vasquez's Chivas USA from an MLS Cup Playoffs standpoint this week.

“In all honesty,” Galaxy midfielder Eddie Lewis said earlier this week, “we’re probably viewing the game more on our own terms, in terms of the fact we want to be able to finish the regular season in strong form. I think Chivas’ destiny has sort of been in their own hands all season and I think that will take care of itself."

That's not to say that it won't be a physical contest between both Home Depot Center tenants.

"I do envision it to be a chippy affair," Lewis said, "probably at times borderline hostile. Given the natural history and rivalry that exists, I think the fact that both teams are at kind of opposite ends of the spectrum at the moment is going to make it a difficult match on the field, but with quite a bit going off the ball.”

For the players, getting over their 2-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls took its time to process.

“Sunday night wasn’t easy,” said forward Edson Buddle, who continues to lead Major League Soccer in goals scored with 14 this season. “I’ve learned over the years just to let it go and learn from the loss.”

“Any way you look at it last weekend is going to be difficult to swallow,” Lewis added. “We were looking at some things as well as dealing with a few other issues,” he said. “There were kind of tough circumstances for us and it kind of played out that way, which was unfortunate. Regardless, this is a different setup and everybody’s available."

“I think you’ll see a much-improved team this weekend.”

The return of defender Omar Gonzalez from suspension will be a welcome sight for a team that clearly missed his presence in the back line.

As for Arena, the potential MLS Supporters' Shield impact is apparent, but not the MLS Cup Playoffs impact.

“I don’t even know that’s a fact,” Arena said. “I don’t even care.”

But the Los Angeles manager was quick to point out the energy that will come from the clubs' bastions of supporters.

“I think this game is a big game for the supporters of both teams,” Arena added “They like these games. I’m not saying that the players don’t, so it makes for a good competition and certainly a game we feel we need to win.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. PT and will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

INS & OUTS

Could the USA be calling it a campaign for 2018?

There is a possibility that the 2018 FIFA World Cup will be hosted somewhere in Europe. But the 2022 bid could be in the balance for the USA.

"Our confidence level remains the same following the conclusion of our FIFA inspection visit, primarily because we expected our facilities (arguably one of our bid's strongest features) to be well-received, and indeed they were," said David Downs, executive director of the USA's bid committee. "Because we were the eighth of nine bidders to be visited by FIFA, we did pay close attention to reports of the earlier visits. But we were not so much looking at the evaluations of each bidder's facilities but instead how certain aspects of their tours were handled from a logistics and protocol perspective.

"We also asked FIFA for feedback on what to do and not to do, as well as appropriate timings for individual segments of our visit."

Convincing 13 of the 24 FIFA Executive Committee members will be a tough task, but not an impossible one.

"One of their observations, although not really a formal part of their evaluation of our facilities, was that there is still a perception beyond our borders that the sport did not change greatly in the United States as a result of the 1994 World Cup,” Downs said. “As you know, nothing could be further from the truth.

"But clearly we have to do a better job explaining those things, and also how those enormous gains benefit the sport throughout the CONCACAF region and even the rest of the world," he added. "We strongly believe a World Cup here in 2018 or 2022 would drive the global soccer economy to even greater heights, but we must convince others of that."

The final decision will take place in a little over two months' time.

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Seattle Sounders FC announced Tuesday that the Puerto Rico National Team has called in goalkeeper Terry Boss for Caribbean Championship Stage One matches against Anguilla on Saturday and versus Saint-Martin on Monday. Both games will be played in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Boss, 29, will miss Seattle's MLS game with Toronto FC on Saturday in Seattle at 12:30p.m. PT. To replace Boss, Sounders FC will use the MLS emergency goalkeeper pool to select a backup for starter Kasey Keller.

Boss has four previous caps with Puerto Rico. He will return to Seattle on Tuesday.

Boss has made three starts in all competitions, the most recent being at Monterrey on September 22 in a CONCACAF Champions League group stage match. He has appeared in one MLS match, as a second-half substitute in a 2-2 draw at Dallas on April 22.

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Seattle went the distance last week.  The team logged 18,000 miles of travel: to Monterrey, then Chicago for a 1-0 win over the Fire Saturday, and finally their return to Seattle.  

The good news for Seattle Sounders FC is that an enduring traveling schedule has given way to three home matches at Qwest Field.  The challenging news is that the Sounders face three teams in separate frameworks.

Seattle went the distance last week.  The team logged 18,000 miles of travel: to Monterrey, then Chicago for a 1-0 win over the Fire Saturday, and finally their return to Seattle.  

The good news for Seattle Sounders FC is that an enduring traveling schedule has given way to three home matches at Qwest Field.  The challenging news is that the Sounders face three teams in separate frameworks.

The current home stand begins Wednesday night at 7 p.m. PT against CD Marathon of Honduras in Round Five of the CONCACAF Champion's League group stage.  The match will be telecast nationally on the Fox Soccer Channel.  

While the Sounders, at 0-4 in CONCACAF play, have scant hope of making the final knockout round without a good deal of help, the remaining matches retain great importance to Seattle as they hope to gain international experience against quality teams.

While the Sounders’ 3-2 loss at Monterrey was heartbreaking after the team jumped to an impressive 2-0 lead in the first half in a tough environment, Coach Sigi Schmid was impressed by the return of Mike Fucito after a long injury hiatus. The former Harvard University performer had a hand in both of his team's points against Monterrey.

The Sounder's will follow up with a Saturday afternoon match beginning at 12:30 p.m. PT against Toronto FC.  This is an important test during Seattle’s quest for a second consecutive MLS playoff appearance.  The team is now over the five hundred mark in MLS play at 11-9-6 and 39 points.  It has a decent shot to reach Schmid’s earlier expressed target of 45 points.

Toronto also entertains hopes of achieving an MLS playoff wild card slot.  The Eastern Conference rival holds a record of 8-11-7 for 31 points.  The Sounders are ever mindful that on April 25 the Canadian team handed the Sounders a 2-0 loss on its home pitch.

Sounders FC is undefeated at 3-0-2 in its last five league home games and has not lost in its last seven domestic matches, holding a 5-0-2 mark.  While Toronto is hungry to stay in the MLS playoff hunt, the Sounders hope to move one step closer to a berth and will pass the 40-point milestone with a victory.

On Wednesday, October 5, the Sounders will seek to defend the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup that was won one year earlier.  They face Eastern Conference leader, the Columbus Crew, the previous team of Sounders’ Coach Sigi Schmid.  First kick is slated for 7 p.m. PT.  

While the Sounders are eager to hoist the trophy before an enthusiastic sellout home crowd, the ever dangerous Crew will be out for payback.  A week ago the Sounders visited Columbus and inflicted a 4-0 shutout triumph against the home team, riding home to victory on a three goal effort by Swiss international star Blaise Nkufo.

A good deal of curiosity surrounds Nkufo.  He has 4 goals in his last two appearances, leading the team to the shutout win over Columbus and garnering the only goal of the night last Saturday in the 88th minute for a hard-earned 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire in an intense defensive struggle.  The question is whether he is in a hot streak and how he will fare in the club’s next three important matches.

Following Tuesday’s training session at Tukwila, Coach Sigi Schmid talked about the Sounders’ next CONCACAF test against Marathon as well as other issues involving his team.  He began with an analysis of his team’s play thus far in CONCACAF competition.

“We have just been disappointed because we have played four games and we have had to play three away and every away game we felt we were there to win the game,” Schmid noted.  “A red card, a 5-minute meltdown, giving away a questionable penalty kick in Honduras, so our luck hasn’t broken for us there. But our luck stayed with us in league play. You make your own luck by continuing to push and battle and we have done that and I think that’s why we have gotten some good fortune in league (play).”

Schmid described Mike Fucito’s playing demeanor:

“He’s like a bulldog when he is on the field. He has got that low center of gravity. He has got that powerful build. He’s an unrelenting competitor and he’s just going to make your life difficult for you as a defender. . . .  A lot of times as a defender when you steal a ball from an attacker you say, ‘OK, I can put it in cruise control because this guy is not going to chase me.’ With Fucito, you can’t ever do that. You can’t be in cruise control around him because he’s always going 100 miles per hour.”

Schmid sized up Wednesday’s match with Marathon:

“They say they play four in the back but they play more like three in the back and they bomb their right back forward all the time. We haven’t overly thought that one because we felt there are a lot of spaces for us to attack wide.

“We didn’t have [Sanna] Nyassi in the game down there. We thought that hurt us a little bit. So having somebody who is out there who can play on the right and get after them on the right. That was also a game where Roger Levesque made a lot of runs forward, got the goal but also had some good chances. . . .  We think whoever we are going to put in there is going to be able to deal with it tactically. We (have) just got to make sure we keep certain guys in check from them and take care of our business.”

Schmid also had a comment on the status of injured player Pat Noonan.

“Noonan is in Colorado having surgery today,” Schmid reported.  “He has got a hip situation. The MRI was a little inconclusive so we don’t quite know if it’s the same thing that Freddie Ljungberg had – the labrum tear – or if it’s just an impingement there. But that’s going to be gone through surgery today. “

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The Oct. 3 renewal of the Honda SuperClasico between Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy and Martin Vasquez's Chivas USA always seems to emphasize one dynamic or another.

This week, the Galaxy have more to lose from Sunday's showdown rather than the Goats; they hang on to first place in the 2010 Major League Soccer overall standings tenuously, as has been the case the past few months.

A victory for Los Angeles will keep them at the front of the pack in the race for the MLS Supporters' Shield.

A victory or draw for Chivas USA, whose playoff aspirations are close to being toast regardless, will leave the gates wide open for Real Salt Lake to take command.

The last meeting for both teams was on April 1, when the Galaxy shut-out Chivas, 2-0, off an Edson Buddle brace. Buddle is still the league's leading scorer with 14 goals and will need to reprise his efforts on Oct. 3 to keep Shield hopes alive.

As for Landon Donovan, his role as the team's main provider has been critical to the prospects of the Galaxy, recording a league-best 14 assists.

Donovan has proven to be an important scorer too, with seven goals to his name.

The Galaxy's defensive back line has had a nasty habit of giving up space against weaker opponents.

With Omar Gonzales returning to action from a yellow card suspension, they will look to minimize the possession opportunities the Goats will have in their attacking third.

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts' stock took a dive on Friday in their 2-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls. With a 15-6-4 record, a 0.84 goals against average, and 67 saves to his name, the Big Cat from Montego Bay will look to put on a more consistent display on Sunday night.

Midfielder David Beckham played a full 90 minutes in their 2-0 defeat. However, he did not put on an impressive performance, managing just one shot and a second-half yellow card.

Beckham has been successful against Chivas before, scoring the game-winning goal in the 80th minute on Aug. 29, 2009, and will look to step his game up playing the midfield, along with Dema Kovalenko, Donovan, and Juninho.

Chivas USA have not beaten the Galaxy since Sept. 13, 2007, when they shut-out the G's, 3-0.

The Goats must defeat the Galaxy by more than two goals to win the Superclasico. A draw or one-goal victory will not be enough.

One player on Chivas USA's starting XI that will look to make this possible is forward Justin Braun. He leads the team in goals with nine and has notched three assists with Mariano Trujillo, Michael Lahoud, and Sacha Kljestan.

Trujillo, Michael Umana, Dario Delgado, and Ante Jazic will have their hands full against a Galaxy attack intent on restoring their goal-scoring touch.

Key to Chivas USA's hopes of upstaging Los Angeles is Zach Thornton.

The Goats goalkeeper has a 1.36 GAA, and has made 54 saves so far this season. However, if he cannot get help from the defense, Thornton could be hung out to dry on Sunday night.

Prediction

The Los Angeles Galaxy need every point they can muster up as the make the final push in October. This result will help.

Los Angeles Galaxy 3, Chivas USA 0

Kickoff is scheduled for 5 pm and will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

Ins and Outs

Youth Academy Update

Make no mistake about it: Saturday is a day to watch the young stars come out to shine.

That's because the Los Angeles Galaxy Youth Academy Under-18s, Under-16s, and Under-14s return to action on Saturday, Oct. 2 at the Home Depot Center.

The Under-18s and Under-16s will begin play in the USSF Development Academy West Conference SoCal Division on Real Salt Lake Arizona.

Kickoff for the U-18 match is scheduled for 10am, while the U-16 match is scheduled for 12:30pm PT.

The U-14 A and B sides have already begun play in Cal South’s U-15 LA Futbol Circuit.

The 2-0 A side take on Pumas LH at 8am at the Home Depot Center while the 1-1 B side face Cosmost Academy West 96's at 11:40am.

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David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy lost 2-0 at home to the New York Red Bulls on Friday night.

Making his first start of the MLS season, Beckham played all 90 minutes. But the English superstar was held mostly in check by the Red Bulls, despite them playing without their own international star, Thierry Henry.

But the frustration for Beckham didn't end with the final whistle.

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Sigi Schmid and his Seattle Sounders like reruns just as long as a happy ending is produced.

Last week in Columbus it was the Blaise Nkufo show as the Swiss National Team star and celebrated prolific Dutch League striker scored a hat trick with his three goals leading the Sounders to a stunning 4-0 victory over the first place leading Crew.  The accomplishment resulted in Nkufo being named MLS Player of the Week.

As Saturday’s match with the Chicago Fire wound to its close it appeared as if the home team, while not achieving the three points it desperately needed to stay in the playoff hunt, would at least garner a scoreless draw and a single digit for its effort.  At this stage Nkufo made his presence felt as the Sounders went home happy and the Fire felt snake bitten as its losing woes continued.

Nkufo in the 88th minute dribbled toward the scoring area after taking a pass from Steve Zakuani. As he approached the end line he delivered a shot that, as the saying goes, appeared to have eyes.  It deflected off a Fire defender and slipped past goalkeeper Sean Johnson at the far post for the match’s only and ultimately winning score.

To knowledgeable fans among the Sounders faithful, Nkufo is a pleasure to view.  Whereas Zakuani, Fredy Montero and Sana Nyassi rely more on speed to reach opposing goal areas, Nkufo’s effort is deliberate and assured, replete with consummate smoothness. 

Saturday night just as one week ago in Columbus, his goal efforts, rather than being the bullet-like thrusts associated with speedy strikers of the Montero school, seem to have eyes.  His shots contain just enough swerve to work their way around positioned defenders and find their way into the net.

The impatient of Sounders nation are now seeing the score master of Dutch football whose efforts became so legendary that a statue was erected in his honor.  Prior to his current two game, four goal effort Nkufo impressed with his ability to impose discipline through raw physicality and distribute the ball proficiently to teammates. 

There was a dominance in his efforts.  Now the goals are beginning to fall and opponents for the rest of the campaign are well aware of his ability to win matches through is scoring efforts along with his steady ball distribution and “hold the fort” defensive efforts.

Prior to the Nkufo score the 17,477 onlookers at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois along with television viewers were treated to a rapidly paced defensive battle in which the goalkeepers on both sides performed brilliantly, stopping scoring efforts.  It was an interesting contrast since Seattle Captain Kasey Keller will turn 41 later this year while Chicago’s talented goalkeeper, Sean Johnson, recently turned 21.

At the end of the evening Keller had five saves and Johnson four.

Seattle had several other scoring opportunities, including a header by Osvaldo Alonso from a Nathan Sturgis corner in the ninth minute that flashed just wide of the post.  In the 56th minute as Johnson moved out to collect a loose ball, Zakuani gained possession and fired wide left from 25 yards out on an open net.  

Montero came close to tallying in the 63rd minute.  James Riley found him in the box and his shot from 8 yards out arrived in the arms of Johnson.    

The Fire had several first half scoring opportunities.  Marco Pappa was involved in both of Chicago's threats. After breaking into the right side of the box, Pappa forced Keller to a diving stop at the right post in the fourth minute. In the first minute of first-half stoppage time his drive from 10 yards was repulsed by the Seattle keeper.

Seattle’s former star midfielder Freddie Ljungberg had two solid scoring opportunities in the second half that resulted in a near miss and save by Keller.  The veteran goalkeeper stopped a curling free kick in the 52nd minute, then knocked away another shot from Ljungberg in the 76th minute, pushing it wide of the right post.   

For Keller with his five save evening, he earned his 11th shutout on the season, which is one more than last year’s total.  

Seattle has lost just once in its last 11 MLS matches, standing at 7-1-3.  It is one win short of surpassing its 2009 total with four games remaining. Seattle improves to 5-5-3 on the road and has beaten the Fire twice this year on late goals, including Montero's stoppage time header on August 28 in Seattle for a heart-wrenching 2-1 triumph.

The Sounders are 11-9-6 overall with 39 points.  Sigi Schmid has said that he regards 45 points as the benchmark that will provide Seattle with a playoff opportunity.  Sounders FC stands currently in fourth place in the Western Conference.

The loss was a bitter pill for a frustrated Fire team to swallow.  Chicago stands at 6-10-8 with 26 points and is winless in its last five games with an 0-3-2 mark.

Sounders FC returns home to host three successive matches.  The first is Marathón in a CONCACAF Champions League match on September 29 at 7 p.m. PT.  Seattle then faces Toronto FC in a league match October 2 at 12:30 p.m. PT.  It then hosts the Columbus Crew in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open cup final October 5 at 7 p.m. PT.

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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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T-180: Thierry Henry, unfortunately, will not be playing. That's the sad part about this match, regardless of the outcome. Thierry Henry of the New York Red Bulls will not be playing tonight at the Home Depot Center in front of a sellout crowd of 27,000.

Aside from that, a pivotal match in the continuing race for the 2010 Major League Soccer Supporters Shield awaits Hans Backe's Red Bulls and Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy.

Well, at least Lalas Hill is open for business once again.

T-150: The Galaxy are currently 15-5-5 (50 points), good for first overall in the league. As for the Red Bulls, they are 12-8-5 (41 points), good for fifth overall and second in the MLS Eastern Conference.

T-120: In CONCACAF Champions League play, the Columbus Crew defeated Santos Laguna 1-0, Cruz Azul and Toronto FC played to scoreless draw, Monterrey defeated the Seattle Sounders FC 3-2, while Real Salt Lake downed Arabe Unido by the same score.

T-105: Should be a sellout crowd on the way.

T-90: Earlier in MLS action this week, the Kansas City Wizards defeated the Houston Dynamo in a 4-3 goal festival while FC Dallas and the New England Revolution fought to a 2-2 draw.

T-75: As of right now, this is the top eight:

1. Los Angeles Galaxy (West #1)
2. Real Salt Lake (west #2)
3. Columbus Crew (East #1)
4. FC Dallas
5. New York Red Bulls (East #2)
6. Colorado Rapids
7. San Jose Earthquakes
8. Seattle Sounders FC

As it stands, it's LA vs. Colorado, RSL vs. FC Dallas, Columbus vs. Seattle and New York vs. San Jose. Yikes. That would be a slate of conference semis to watch if the season were to end this weekend.

T-60: It's time for the line-ups.

T-50: A little sign that says "Becks Is Back, Better Than Ever!" Let's see if that holds true.

By the way, I was thinking that Bruce was going to start Mr. Beckham...well whaddaya know. He will be.

T-45: Both teams begin their warm-ups.

New York's next three games include an October 2 home match against the Kansas City Wizards, a crucial October 9 match with Real Salt Lake at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey and an October 16 trip to Chester, Pennsylvania and PPL Park to take on the Philadelphia Union.

As for Los Angeles, they renew their SuperClasico rivalry with Chivas USA on October 3 as the designated road team, the last road trip for the team on October 7 at PPL Park against the Union and an October 16 home tie with the Colorado Rapids.

T-40: Not too much to go over in today's pregame miscellany, other than viewing a match on the gridiron between Texas Christian and Southern Methodist. While those two collegiate sides dispute for possession of an iron pan, these two teams on Victoria Street will dispute for a set number of points: three to one, one to both, or none to both.

T-30: Tomorrow in MLS play, the Philadelphia Union take on Chivas USA, D.C. United take on the Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution host the Columbus Crew, the Wizards face FC Dallas, the Sounders travel to Toyota Park to clash with the Chicago Fire and in an important game for Real Salt Lake, they host the Colorado Rapids.

T-20: With Omar Gonzalez out due to suspension, it will be up to Yohance Marshall and Leonardo to fill in the void.

T-15: Both teams head to the change rooms for final instructions. Our match referee today is Ricardo Salazar. The linesmen are Thomas Supple and Peter Manikowski. Baldomero Toledo is our fourth official.

T-5: Somehow I am getting an atrocious wireless connection from this place; it's driving me nuts. So I will have to do this without the ESPN2 broadcast. This is a drag, as far as I am concerned. Oh well.

T-0: National anthem by Savannah Robinson. Pregame entertainment by The Briggs with one of the club's anthems, "This Is L.A."

FIRST HALF START: 8:10 P.M. PT

1' - We are underway in this highly-anticipated regular season showdown. Will there be a chicken thief from Harrison, New Jersey on the feast? Or will the Big Cat from Montego Bay known as Donovan Ricketts snatch a shutout tonight? Stay tuned...

Oh dear. That's an early corner. Becks to take...and that is low. An early bullet dodged by the Red Bulls.

2' - Todd Dunivant with the throw-in. And after a few taps here and there, Bouna Coundoul resets for New York.

3' - Here's Mehdi Ballouchy. His possession in gobbled up by a back line looking to bring their A-game tonight. Pass from Sean Franklin to Jovan Kirovski not on the money.

4' - Ricketts with the goal kick. This is Landon Donovan, marked by Dane Richards.

5' - And now it's Dema Kovalenko with the ball. The Red Bulls gain possession, and it's Coundoul again. Passing, passing, passing. Cannot stress good passing any more tonight.

6' - And now it's Landon Donovan. Richards with the tackle on Franklin. They look to press, the G's...too long.

7' - The Great Dane will be a key ingredient to the Red Bulls' prospects tonight. Here's Carlos Mendes. Too much mustard from Juninho.

8' - Yohance Marshall with possession, and it seems New York is just biding their time as it stands.

9' - Here comes New York. Rafael Marquez with the ball. Sean Franklin clears. That pass for Juninho was off.

10' - Juan Pablo Angel will look to finish as the lone striker tonight. Here is Red Bulls vet Tim Ream. Throw-in for Landon Donovan. Good stuff by Tony Tchani.

11' - Ballouchy again. Rash challenge on Kovalenko, and here's Beckham. Too long a pass down the right flank.

12' - Bruce Arena looks on with cool intentions. Coundoul with the leaper. And he had to get to that one off the ricochets for a goal kick.

13' - Thirteen minutes into the contest, and it's still scoreless.

14' - A series of routine sweeps are on the house for the home side. Here's Ballouchy. First big save for Donovan Ricketts.

15' - Now the Red Bulls press. That will be out for a goal kick. But Ricketts is asking for better protection from the back line. Understandably.

16' - Talley with the throw-in. And now it's Ream. Beckham will put this in play.

17' - The New York back line sweeps. They are unable to capitalize on possession, and Donovan Ricketts will send this goal kick skyward.

18' - Sean Franklin now, and Todd Dunivant looks for someone in white. Here's Juninho. And this long pass for Edson Buddle is intercepted.

19' - Ricketts with the goal kick. Coundoul pushes that away for a Galaxy corner. He's being put on notice.

20' - That is great stuff from Rafael Marquez. He hasn't missed much, the celebrated Mexican international hasn't.

21' - Overconfidence in Beckham; a more direct approach would have worked. Here comes a New York corner in a New York minute. Ballouchy to take.

22' - Doesn't work out, but the road side keeps their composure. This looks better for them. Kovalenko gets roughed up.

23' - Head-on collision by Yohance Marshall. Nothing too serious. Back come the G's, and it's Leonardo to Donovan Ricketts.

24' - Now the Red Bulls go on the counter. The G's sweep. Rash challenge on Becks, but he is all right. May be subbed later on, who knows.

25' - A throw-in for Ballouchy. Backfires, and Bouna Coundoul resets.

26' - Not bad stuff from Leonardo, but he is going to have to keep at it for the full 90 (assuming Arena plays him for that long). Clockwork sweep from the Cameroonian.

27' - Talley, Mendes, Marquez. The Red Bulls with some textbook passing in the back.

28' - That throw was a bit long for Buddle. New York on the counter. Shot from Joel Lindpere just misses. Goal kick, Ricketts.

29' - Tchani, and Beckham's gonna have to be a bit more involved here. Corner, LA.

30' - We are 30 minutes in, and it's still scoreless. Good clearance on the corner. Tim Ream is wise to not touch that one as it will go for a goal kick.

31' - Questionable first touch from Leonardo. Now it's Beckham. Coundoul exchanging a few words with Donovan. Careful...

32' - Here comes another Red Bulls corner, but Dane Richards is a bit shaken up. He gets up, though.

33' - Take...two. Here's Lindpere. Take...three. Actually, cut. That's a throw-in by Talley.

34' - Kirovski with a nice backheel, and Mr. Beckham is looking for support. Ream nearly got reamed on that one.

35' - So we are now 35 in, it's still scoreless.

36' - Roy Miller with the throw-in. And this could be trouble.

GOAL! New York Red Bulls 19 Dane Richards

This was what the home fans were fearing. Without question. Yeah, as if the visitors really needed Thierry Henry in this case tonight. Excellent goal off the initial miss from Juan Pablo Angel.

37' - Home field advantage be damned! I warned the readers about what this guy can do, and you can see why.

38' - Talley is shaken up. Bad. He'll be feeling that one in the morning.

40' - Substitution Red Bull New York
IN 12 Mike Petke
OUT 2 Carey Talley

There's a going-away present for you.

41' - And now, it's Edson Buddle, and he is not getting any help. This has been the story of the half so far for the Galaxy.

42' - I will tell you this: some changes will need to be in order.

43' - Here is Dema Kovalenko. And that sure didn't work out. Mendes with the throw-in.

44' - We'll find out how many minutes of stoppage time we'll be getting here. Great ball possession from New York. The boo birds come out.

45' - This Galaxy team is a discombobulated unit, and Bruce is going to have to lay the hammer down at halftime.

45' + 1' - One minute of stoppage time. This should go quickly.

The whistle blows, it's...

HALFTIME STATS

Shots
Red Bull New York 5
Los Angeles Galaxy 2

Shots on Goal
Red Bull New York 2
Los Angeles Galaxy 0

Saves
Red Bull New York 0
Los Angeles Galaxy 1

Fouls
Red Bull New York 7
Los Angeles Galaxy 2

Corner Kicks
Red Bull New York 3
Los Angeles Galaxy 3

Offsides
Red Bull New York 1
Los Angeles Galaxy 0

SECOND HALF START: 9:14 P.M. PT

46' - Here we go with the start of the second half. Let's see if we got some adjustments in order from both sides. I fancy that the Galaxy are missing Omar Gonzalez more than the Red Bulls are missing Thierry Henry.

Something like that.

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 20 A.J. de La Garza
OUT 22 Leonardo

47' - Leonardo is being eased into the lineup, apparently. Roy Miller is playing out of his brains right now. Good stop.

48' - Corner doesn't amount to much. And I fancy Yohance Marshall could have done better on that one.

49' - Miller with the throw.

50' - Coundoul goes off his line for the kick save.

51' - Marquez's pass inside initially broken up, but now the Galaxy counter. Coundoul is going to grab those all night long; the G's are not being creative enough. Old habits die hard.

52' - This is Sean Franklin with the ball. Not bad stuff from Dema Kovalenko. But the marking from this New York side is vastly improved from before. I love it.

53' - Right into the arms of Donovan Ricketts. And now it's Marshall...

54' - Ricardo Salazar says "Play on, enough." Not sure what Hans Backe is whinging about; his team is up 1-0.

55' - As much as I like seeing Beckham on the field for 55 plus, the lack of Omar Gonzalez has done Los Angeles a good one here.

56' - Too long of a pass. Not sure what that was all about. Here's Marshall with the free kick. And Richards intercepts Buddle with ease.

57' - Yellow card 20 A.J. De La Garza
Los Angeles Galaxy

Obviously came in late on that one.

58' - That header from Juan Pablo Angel sails over the crossbar. This is Joel Lindpere with the ball, and the G's retain possession.

59' - Good tackle from Carlos Mendes. Penalty! And this will test Donovan Ricketts' ability. Amateurish mistake from Yohance Marshall.

Yellow card 5 Yohance Marshall
Los Angeles Galaxy

DOGSO rule in effect.

60' - GOAL! Red Bull New York 9 Juan Pablo Angel (penalty)

Ricketts went the wrong way, easy as you like. Automatic, that.

61' - This team is now on the ropes. Terrible effort from Marshall. He probably wishes he was back in Austin by now. That is goal No. 13 for Angel, the Colombian international.

62' - And the boo birds continue to rain down here at the Home Depot Center. The fans are not getting their money's worth.

63' - They really didn't need Thierry Henry tonight. Routine grab from Coundoul.

64' - Well, in my prediction, I called for a 2-2 draw. Can the G's do their end of the bargain? Terrible header chance from LA, and New York go on the counter.

65' - Buddle gets tangled up in indigo. Free kick. Does Beckham still have the ability to bend this one?

Bloody heck, that was a save from Bouna Coundoul. This guy is getting the job done.

66' - Corner for LA. They really need to capitalize. Something.

67' - Taken quickly, and that doesn't work out.

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 6 Eddie Lewis
OUT 9 Jovan Kirovski

68' - Another save from Coundoul. They cannot even solve this guy, and it must be driving them nuts. Well, Arena is watching on as if they will still be first place on points.

69' - Substitution Red Bull New York
IN 33 Carl Robinson
OUT 4 Juan Pablo Angel

70' - Tony Tchani is hurt. He limps back to the sideline. Looks like his night is done.

71' - And Ricketts must be wondering what happened to his back line tonight.

Substitution Red Bull New York
IN 29 Salou Ibrahim
OUT 23 Tony Tchani

72' - And now it's Backe (excuse the pun) to the tactic stolen from one Jose Mourinho of parking the bus.

73' - Offsides, Los Angeles. Well, at the rate things are going, this series will go to the road side.

74' - Here is Canadian international Carl Robinson. The Galaxy regain possession, but Roy Miller sweeps. Hans likes what he sees, apparently.

75' - 75 in, and it's 2-0 New York Red Bulls.

76' - A goal kick for Donovan Ricketts. This has not been his night.

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 17 Tristan Bowen
OUT 21 Dema Kovalenko

77' - I tell you, the fans may need their money back after this one. But once again, I ask the question: "Who Needs Thierry Henry Anyway?" They already HAVE Juan Pablo Angel, after all.

78' - Too long of a pass for Eddie Lewis.

79' - Ricketts will grab that one. Bowen will have to play that one back.

80' - And Bouna Coundoul with another save. This has become nothing short of a pathetic performance from the Galaxy as Dane Richards goes on the offensive.

81' - Agony in the attacking third for L.A. as that pass for Landon Donovan misses.

82' - Boo birds rain down as some of them have seen enough of this one.

83' - Bruce Arena is going to be facing the music after his offensive strategy failed to work tonight.

84' - Offsides, Los Angeles. They can only hope that the Rapids do their part of the bargain.

85' - There is no doubt that wil for New York will be a blessing for the Columbus Crew.

Valiant shot from Tristan Bowen, but this guy, Bouna Coundoul, gets my Man of the Match for actually bothering to show up tonight. Great performance.

86' - This could be trouble...

87' - Yellow card 23 David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy

And Ricardo Salazar has elected to add salt to the wounds of what has been an unacceptable performance from the Los Angeles Galaxy in front of 27,000. Such a gentleman.

88' - Another solid save from Coundoul. When it comes to keepers in the East, he is The Beast.

89' - Bouna "The Beast from the East" Coundoul...that has a nice ring to it.

90' - How many minutes of stoppage time, Baldomero? Bruce Arena raises his hands in disgust. As he should.

90' + 1' - Well, I knew New York was going to score two, but Los Angeles is not doing their part of the bargain. Three minutes of stoppage.

90' + 2' - Since it is a prep football Friday night, I would like to note that my high school football team got the job done. Lakewood 44, Leuzinger 0.

90' + 3' - Real Salt Lake, rejoice. You have a chance to return to the roost via tiebreakers if you get the business done.

One more save from Coundoul never hurt anyone...unless you're an LA supporter, that is.

That is a wrap.

Stay tuned for my take on this match on the View from Victoria Street and on Bleacher Report.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

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