30May/120
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Carolina RailHawks: 6 Things We Learned
This has been a May of futility for Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy. No wins, only one draw. Could things get any worse for Arena? Could his role as the boss be in grave danger?On Tuesday night, the Galaxy surrendered a one-goal lead to the Carolina RailHawks and lost 2-1 to crash out of the U.S. Open Cup.With a long, long break before the Galaxy return to MLS action, here are six things we learned regarding the culmination of a futile month of soccer for the Galaxy.1. Arena Fails To Take the Cup SeriouslyThis was perhaps doomed from the beginning. A number of key starters were not on the plane to North Carolina: A.J. DeLaGarza, Sean Franklin, Todd Dunivant, Juninho and David Beckham.Because of this, Carolina were able to take advantage of an under-strengthed LA Galaxy side and leave the match late.2. A Full 90 minutes from LeonardoOne of the bright spots to take from this defeat was that Leonardo, who was injured for a majority of last season, earned a full 90 and stoppage starting in the back line for the Galaxy. Whether or not his performance will lead him to playing time during the MLS season remains to ...28May/120
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Carolina RailHawks: 10 Bold Predictions
Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy have one last chance to salvage their season when they travel to Cary, N.C., to take on the Carolina RailHawks in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.Kickoff at WakeMed Soccer Park is scheduled for Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. ET.Here are 10 bold predictions for this week's matchup.Begin Slideshow27May/120
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo: Rating David Beckham’s Performance
The cold, hard, nasty truth must be hitting David Beckham of the Los Angeles Galaxy straight in the face. It's hitting him straight in the showers, following him everywhere he goes. A footballer that is 37 years young, and the truth dangles in front of him like a carrot on a stick.No, it's not the fact that Engelbert Humperdinck's song for Eurovision was the second-worst in the entire contest (courtesy of Scotland on Sunday). It's the fact that Beckham is consigned to working with a team of Boy Scouts in man-suits.But despite seeing his Galaxy drop another match, 2-1 to the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas, Beckham did show flashes of his past self, as seen in the 10th minute of the match.Beckham delivered a through ball to Chad Barrett, who found Edson Buddle in open space. The goal was Buddle's second of the season, but the Galaxy's defensive issues would make the lead short-lived.A flash of brilliance from the Brit, who is still pining for a certain Stuart Pearce.But alas, there is only so much a man with experience can do when leading this group of Boy Scouts. It leaves the embattled soul frustrated, seething, ...27May/120
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo: Rating the Galaxy Players
This is turning out to be quite the broken record: it's another soul-crushing defeat for Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, who can't beat the Sisters of Mercy with their mastery of gong show football. Despite being able to score first, as with the San Jose match Wednesday, the Galaxy capitulated on a own goal by Mike Magee and poor set piece defending en route to a 2-1 loss at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. Now there are some readers who argue that my ratings are not fair. Well, to those, I say this: life isn't either, and to the players of the Los Angeles Galaxy, you will continue to get dismal ratings for your performance until you do something right for once and win a game. It's so simple, even a rocket scientist monkey can comprehend it. With all that said, it's time to break down the player ratings. Brian Perk 5.5 Perk was not helped by the likes of Mike Magee in the first half and could not save the set piece conversion by Andre Hainault in the second half. However, he did make collections and stop a number of chances from Houston. Bryan Jordan 4 Dead weight is ...26May/120
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo: 6 Things We Learned
This May has nothing short of a month of horrors for Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, who have no defense, have a lackluster offense and have another loss to their ever-putrid ledger.On Saturday afternoon, the Galaxy stunk it up once more and suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Tex.Here are six things we learned from Saturday's defeat.Begin Slideshow24May/120
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo: Analysis, Reaction and More
The 2012 Major League Soccer season has not been the kindest of years for Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy. With a dismal record of 3-7-2 (11 points), they have lost their touch when it comes down to applying the simple fundamentals in playing the game the right way. Still, there is plenty of time for them to turn the ship around and contend for an MLS Cup Playoffs spot, but they have to hurry. Saturday’s tilt with the Houston Dynamo could be the starting point for a comeback of significant proportions. As for the Dynamo, head coach Dominic Kinnear will aim to right the ship for his ball club, who are 3-3-4 (13 points) and currently sit seventh in the MLS Eastern Conference. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. PT/2:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by NBC Sports. Keep it right here on Bleacher Report for continuing coverage of the 2012 MLS season and all things world football.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com24May/120
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo: 10 Bold Predictions
Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy sport the worst record in the MLS Western Conference at 3-7-2 (11 points). It doesn't seem that there could be any letting up in terms of maintaining their cold streak when they face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium.Or is there not?It has not been a pleasant May for Los Angeles, who have yet to win this month. This is their last chance to salvage something this month in league play. Houston currently sports a 3-3-4 record (13 points), and are similarly struggling to get points in the MLS Eastern Conference.Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (EST) and will be televised by NBC Sports.Here are 10 bold predictions for Saturday's afternoon tilt in H-Town.Begin Slideshow24May/120
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Rating David Beckham’s Performance
The media is still begging, and begging, and begging Team Great Britain manager Stuart Pearce to let David Beckham into the team. I said previously that Beckham does not have the talent, only the hype.On Wednesday, that hype led to yet another crushing defeat for the Los Angeles Galaxy, 3-2, to the San Jose Earthquakes at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.Surely, his leadership could have inspired the Galaxy to not be hesitant on giving up the goal to the likes of Alan Gordon, a forward that has had a hot streak of scoring against Los Angeles.Tell the players; "get back, here comes Gordon straight ahead." Instead, they hesitate, and what could have been a point split ends up becoming the culmination of 20 gong show football minutes.To Beckham's credit, he did break up play and had a passable effort defensively. However, he also committed a handball that led him to receiving a yellow card and Khari Stephenson equalizing for the Earthquakes.Of course, that isn't all from Becks. From Scott French of ESPN.com... “Unfortunately, we had someone in control of the game tonight that, every time we've had him, he wants to be the star, and that's what happens when you ...24May/120
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Rating the Galaxy Players
Quite frankly, Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy are finding really creative ways to lose matches. Watch your back, Toronto FC and Philadelphia Union, the Galaxy are on a cold streak too and have no signs of letting up. This won't determine the SuperDraft race, but it does make things interesting. On Wednesday, the Galaxy surrendered three goals in about 20 minutes to Frank Yallop's San Jose Earthquakes, capped off by L.A.'s answer to Mike Magee in Alan Gordon, in their 3-2 defeat at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Well, every loss adds up, and once again, the player ratings are impacted. Let's take a look at this. Brian Perk: 1 Now, someone explain to me why Brian Perk is even starting as Los Angeles' goalkeeper? He can't stop penalties, he can't stop good set pieces and he gets beaten on a one-on-one by Alan Gordon. This is not a primetime goalkeeper. Maybe the Los Angeles Blues can use this player between the pipes. Arena should have started Bill Gaudette after Perk stunk it up in similar fashion against Chivas USA.Oh Josh Saunders...where are thou? (Courtesy of the LA Times's Kevin Baxter) Sean Franklin: 4 Did well to break up ...24May/120