I could not be more proud of the boys than I was tonight. After coming off a tough start to the season, LA has clinched a playoff spot and will make a run towards the MLS Cup!

LA started off this game with their gears on high and their foot on the gas pedal. As soon as the whistle blew, they were off and running and it seemed as though TFC just couldn’t keep up. In the 11th minute Juninho took a free kick from outside the 18, and my jaw dropped. This free kick was better than “David Beckham worthy”, it was THAT spectacular. If you didn’t see this free kick, you missed awesomeness (and that is all I will say about that… for now).

After Juni’s free kick/goal, LA turned up the heat. They fired off shot after shot. Even when they weren’t taking shots, LA was becoming a threat to TFC. As the first half started to go along, things started to get chippy on TFC’s part and fouls were being called. Ryan Johnson from TFC was starting to pick up his game, but not without his temper flaring. After a hard tackle on Omar Gonzalez, and then a hard knock on A.J DeLaGarza, Johnson was yellow carded.

LA didn’t let those hard knocks get to them though, because in the 30th minute it became LA’s game. From 40 yards out in the 33rd minute Juninho nailed a shot into the upper corner of the goal to make the score 2-0. It was the typical Juni shot, and nothing less than perfect. Then just three minutes later Robbie Keane ran through traffic in the box and chipped the ball past the keeper to make the score 3-0. But TFC wouldn’t let LA get away without a fight, in the 39th minute TFC came away with a goal as Dunfield scored off a header, thus making the score 3-1.(This was the first goal LA has allowed in 351 minutes)

It was an exciting first half as LA had the majority of possession, and even though LA gave up a goal it was a tremendous first half. Domination is the word that I would use to describe LA’s play. They came away with 12 shots versus TFC’s 2 shots.

As the second half was getting underway, LA still had their foot on the gas pedal. They were firing off shots, but having no luck actually getting them in the goal. LA’s string of passes also became better as the game was going along. It seemed as though everyone wanted to get in on scoring goals as Sean Franklin fired off a shot that forced TFC’s keeper to make a good save. As the second half continued on, things started to die down as both teams took their foot off the gas and set the cruise control. Galaxy was still firing away shots, but again, they were coming up empty handed.

Bruce looked to his bench in the 68th minute and brought on Edson Buddle to turn the heat back up. It didn’t really go the way Bruce probably planned. In the 86th minute TFC came back and made the score 3-2. As things started to get even more hectic, LA had to get off cruise control. The last few minutes were crucial… and they started to make me hyperventilate. It was as if I was watching the game in an “out of body experience”. I wanted to cover my eyes as the ref showed that there would be 3+ minutes of stoppage time. Then out of nowhere an angel appeared, whose name was Robbie Keane. His moves were flawless as he hit the ball near post to make the score 4-2 and put the game out of reach for TFC. It was an emotional second half with things going up and down, but in the end LA came away with the win.

With tonight’s win LA Galaxy have clinched a playoff spot and will begin their run towards the MLS Cup. And with San Jose winning in Seattle LA will move into second place in the Western Conference.

Next Galaxy game will be September 30th against Colorado Rapids.

STATS on tonight’s game; LA Galaxy had 26 shots, 12 corner kicks, and 4 goals. 2 credited to Juninho, and 2 goals to Robbie Keane. Landon Donovan came away with 2 assists, making his total 14 for the year. 

photo credit; LA Galaxy’s instagram

As the Galaxy are coming off a CCL “revenge” win against PR Islanders it seems they want to keep their spirits high as they come away with a 2-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps this past weekend. This is the third straight game that LA forward Landon Donovan has missed. This lead to some speculation among Galaxy fans that Donovan could be seeking opportunities in Europe. These fears were short lived as it seems all is safe, for now.

The first half started off slow with LA having plenty of chances on goal. Robbie Keane had an opportunity to score in the 27th minute when he pulled out some amazing acrobatics, but it just barely missed the net. He also had another chance in the 32nd minute but was called offsides.

Then, it all came together in the 41st minute when Juninho scored an incredible goal from 23 yards out. Robbie Keane was credited with the assist. The Brazilian midfielder has been on fire lately, he has scored 6 goals in his last 6 games.

In the 79th minute none other than David Beckham brought down the house with a classic free kick that slid into goal to make the score 2-0 over the Whitecaps. The Vancouver keeper was frozen on his line. It never gets old seeing that happen to keepers when Beckham is over the ball.

Everything came together perfectly in this game as LA pulls off a shutout win at home. After a tough start to the season, seems as though LA has found their stride.

If LA keep playing like they have in the last two weeks, there is no doubt they will be a contender for a playoff spot.

Los Angeles Galaxy v. Chivas USA is always a must see game. Although most people don’t consider it a rivalry, based on the fact that LA (almost) always wins, the fans and players consider it a huge rivalry. Whenever these two play, they go all out. The first two meetings between the two were split, Chivas won the first match 1-0 and LA won the second match 3-1. After losing to Seattle Sounders last week, 4-0, this was a match that LA needed to win.

LA got off to a good start, they would’ve scored within the first ten minutes, if it hadn’t been for Chivas’ keeper, Dan Kennedy. This wouldn’t be his last great save of the night. LA finally scored their first goal in the 27th minute, thanks to Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan’s 1st assist of the night. This would be the only goal scored by either team and it was 1-0 at HT.

In the second half, Chivas started getting chances to equalize. It was a little nerve-wrecking watching because it felt like Chivas was going to score at any moment.  Finally, in the 64th minute, Juninho doubled LA’s lead, with another assist from Donovan. LA scored two more goals- Juninho and Omar Gonzalez, who scored his first goal since coming back from injury. The scoreline was a bit unfair to Dan Kennedy, who made 8 saves in the game. (!) Had it been any other (MLS) keeper, the score could’ve easily been 10-0, if not more. Yes, he does play for LA’s rival, but I have nothing but praise for him, week after week, he makes some incredible saves. In this game, he single handedly kept Chivas in the game.

Thanks to his four assists, Donovan was named MLS player of the week. Next up for LA is an away game against Columbus Crew. LA Galaxy fans will see a familiar face. Chris Birchall, former Galaxy player, will most likely get  a start against his former club.

After seeing LA beat Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Wednesday, I wasn’t so worried for this game. I knew I shouldn’t underestimate the Vancouver Whitecaps, but I had a feeling the LA of 2011 would be playing, and not the LA of early 2012.

LA were currently on a 2 game winning streak and were playing their 3rd game in one week. There were two players I was worried about in Vancouver Whitecaps- Sebastian Le Toux and Eric Hassli. Both of these players are great goal scorers and I knew our defenders would have a tough time with them. Whitecaps also has a really good keeper, Joe Cannon, who is a former LA Galaxy player.

LA got off to a good start. Early on in the game, David Beckham took a corner kick, and Juninho tried to head the ball in. His shot was blocked.  Landon Donovan and David Junior Lopes both tried scoring, but their shorts were also blocked.  Finally, Mike Magee took advantage of the chaos near the box and scored LA’s first goal in the 16th minute.  LA was in control for the rest of the first half.. Robbie Keane, who was back from playing in the Euro with his national team Ireland, doubled LA’s lead in the 30th minute. Keane celebrated his goal with a classy gesture, he held up a jersey that read ” RIP James Nolan” in honor of the Irish fan who went missing in Poland.

LA was now up 2-0. It was almost HT, when Keane, who was running towards the goal, kicked the ball and the ball ended up hitting Whitecaps’ defender Jay DeMerit hand/arm and LA was awarded a penalty. The captain stepped up to take it, sent Cannon the wrong way, and he scored. It was 3-0 at HT. The second half was more quiet for LA, although they did have a few chances. Vancouver started attacking more and Josh Saunders made his best saves of the night. But the score would remain 3-0 at the whistle.

LA is now on a 3 game winning streak. Nine points in 3 games within 1 week. This has helped LA move up to the fifth spot.  Next week is the California Clasico, the game against their northern California rivals, San Jose Earthquakes. This is a game LA will definitely want to win. Not only because it’s against their biggest rivals, but also because of the last time these two played. It took place at the Home Depot Center last month, and LA led 2 goals to nil with 20 minutes left in the game. However, SJ scored 3  goals and to the disappointment of LA fans, went on to win the match and take all 3 points.

Photo courtesy of LA Galaxy’s official Web site.

Damn what a Saturday, MLSers!!! We had quite the drama in New York, Philly fans rejoiced in a win, FC Dallas took down Montreal and there’s so much more, I can’t sum it up in one sentence. Missed the highlights? Check out our MLS Saturday Rewind!

Philadelphia 1 – Columbus 0

After getting their tanks handed to them against New York, at home, the Columbus Crew were on the road to the Union and hoping to get back in the strong form they started the season with. Philly have been winless thus far and were desperately searching for that win at home. Luckily for them, while the Crew seemed strong through the match, they just couldn’t find the back of the net.

It’s been a problem in the past for the Crew and one I, as a Crew fan, hoped would be wrapped up this season with our new midfielders and strikers. But I don’t believe the goal drought of this game is anything to fear. Columbus pushed against the Union defense all through the match, it was just a touch of bad luck they couldn’t get it in. Or it speaks for the luck/strength of Philly’s back line.

Regardless, a handball from Crew defender Eric Gehrig in the box gave Philadelphia a penalty shot in the 37th minute. Gabriel Gómez stepped up to convert and it would be the only goal of the game.

New England 1 – D.C. United 2

Chris Pontius would be the savior of D.C. United as his beautiful strike in the dying minutes of the match would give United a 2-1 victory over their neighbors to the North. If you didn’t see this goal, you need to watch it. Solid, beautiful strike. Great to see Chris back on the score board!

New York 2 – San Jose 2

Probably one of the most anticipated games of Saturday was the match up of New York and San Jose. Thierry Henry, Kenny Cooper and Chris Wondolowski have been the top scorers of the league thus far, and both their teams have been on fire since things kicked off in March. Who would come out on top of the battle of two of the strongest MLS teams?

Turns out, they would break even, with Cooper and Wondo getting on the score sheet and Henry providing a nice little assist. The two teams stayed close to one another in performances through the match – NY scored first, but the Quakes would follow shortly after.

However, the Quakes would pay the price at keeping pace with the Red Bulls. On the same play, two players would head off the pitch with injury. First, Red Bulls midfielder Rafael Marquez basically bear hugged San Jose’s Shea Salinas and took him to ground, resulting in Salinas breaking his clavicle.  It was a horrible move and I couldn’t believe Marquez was not carded for it. I know there has been debate on this retro-banning trend in MLS, but here’s hoping the disciplinary committee stay fair and book Marquez for his reckless foul.

On that same play, SJ defender Victor Bernardez went for a header and the landing sprained his knee, ending his game for the day. That was about where the drama ended. The second half leveled off, and San Jose almost came away with winning goals, but NY keeper Ryan Meara stayed strong.

Personally, I think the Red Bulls were lucky. For me, San Jose are sending a message across MLS this year and that is that they are strong and they are going all in. Their entire team working together is frightening for opposing teams. If Steve Lenhart had been paired up with Wondo again, I think this recap might have been a bit different and in San Jose’s favor. But who knows.

L.A. Galaxy 3 – Portland 1

Oh, Los Angeles. I’m sure fans of the 2011 MLS Cup Champions are breathing a bit easier this morning after looking at that scoreline. But it really was a bit scary at the beginning. The Galaxy hosted Portland and having not won a game yet this season, a winner at home would prove much more for their spirits.

Things really picked up in the 23rd minute when Kris Boyd slotted one in the Galaxy net, Portland’s first goal at the Home Depot Center in two years. And it would go unanswered until Galaxy Captain Landon Donovan slipped a nice little goal past Timbers keeper Troy Perkins. A nice pick me up for the Galaxy at the end of the first half which would fuel them through the next 45′. Portland continued to push for a winner, but were denied. Juninho sealed the coffin in the 83rd with a low shot and David Beckham would at the cherry on top with a stoppage time goal.

Other scores:
Seattle 1 – Colorado 0
Toronto 0 – Chivas USA 1
FC Dallas 2 – Montreal 1
Kansas City 1 – Real Salt Lake 0

Today’s game will be Chicago versus Houston, with kick off set for 7 p.m. ET 

Major League Soccer

If yesterday’s games were any indication, the MLS Playoffs are going to be incredibly heated this year.  Fights broke out, red cards were issued and quite a few goals were scored.

The LA Galaxy defeated the New York Red Bulls 1-0 at Red Bull Arena, and in a post-match scuffle Rafa Marquez and Juninho were both issued red cards.  Neither player will play in the second leg on Thursday.  Expect fireworks to fly again at the Home Depot Center.

In the second match of the day, the Houston Dynamo also took down the home side, beating the Philadelphia Union in their house 2-1.

Sporting Kansas City striker Teal Bunbury lead his team to victory in the third and final match of the day, beating the Colorado Rapids on their home turf 2-0.  It was not a good day for the home team in MLS yesterday!

 Ligue 1

Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard is raising eyebrows across Europe as he announced he will leave French squad Lille at the end of the season.  Hazard was voted Ligue 1′s best player by his peers last season, and the midfielder said he feels that he is ready for the next step in his career.

Mexican Primera Division

Mexican squad Jaguares has taken social media marketing to the next level.  Instead of putting players last names on the back of their jerseys, they chose to put the players Twitter handles. Genius or ludicrous?

English Premier League

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling will be out for about a month, after suffering a fractured foot in Saturday’s win over Everton.  This is certainly a blow to their defense, but luckily United has solid depth on the bench.

Tottenham defeated QPR in the only EPL match played yesterday.  New Aerys Soccer writer Sophie Bowen recapped the match, in case you missed it!

La Liga

Missed any of the La Liga matches played this weekend? Here’s a round-up of the scores across the league.