CARSON, Calif -- The Home Depot Center in Southern California was the most depressing site following the ultimate 3-1 demise of the Los Angeles Galaxy by the advancing FC Dallas.
It was a physical spectacle with fouls left and right. And when Dallas struck first, the brute force shown on the pitch was increased.
Dallas’ David Ferreira opened up the scoring in the 26th minute with a blast just inside the area that left the defense and keeper Donovan Ricketts rooted like a ficus.
“There was that play in the sideline where Eddie Lewis got fouled,” explained Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena. “The play went on and I’m not certain what went on between [AJ DelaGarza] and [Omar Gonzalez] on that [play].”
Striker Edson Buddle received his share of fouls, which much to his surprise, were not called. As a result, the Galaxy got frustrated and reckless on the pitch. No longer were they soccer players vying for a MLS Cup final spot, but enforcers and goons who were agitated and thus grinding it out putting the hurt on.
FC Dallas looked at the decaying ruins of the Galaxy and capitalized with another two goals; one in the 54th minute by George John and again in the 73rd by Marvin Chavez. And that was all she wrote for the LA club.
“I think Edson buddle was the most fouled player in the league, and very rarely got called in his favor,” said Arena.
“That’s happened to him all year,” said Landon Donovan. “It’s like when Shaq plays, he’s so strong and physical that he gets fouled on almost every play and doesn’t get called and that happens to Edson a lot.”
I guess, according to Donovan, being big and strong has disadvantages.
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