LOS ANGELES, Calif-
It was scene reminiscent of the Gold Cup Final in Pasadena, except cut maybe in half. One could also say it was like the Los Angeles Galaxy v. Real Madrid match from last year, except without the Galaxy supporter's groups. In a slightly more than half full Coliseum (56,211 in attendance), the LA Galaxy battled Real Madrid without the support they're used to at the Home Depot Center, with the majority of the crowd rooting for Real Madrid.
However, unlike the other two matches, it was Real Madrid what struck first. Much to the delight of the crowd, which started chanting "Madrid", Kaka was able to find Jose Callejon with a roller inside the box and Callejon finished to put Real Madrid up 1-0 at the 31'.
Then in the 40', Joselu found himself alone at the right corner of the box, and lazily struck one that changed direction slightly due to a Beckham deflection. The change of pace was enough to fool Josh Saunders, and Real Madrid went up on the Galaxy 2-0.
Madrid maintained control the entire first half, there was almost no counter attack from the LA Galaxy. The team showed no ability to hold the ball at midfield, and Madrid were able to run rampant. Madrid had possession for 60% of the first half, and won 61% of duels.
Things didn't improve out of the locker room. After Bruce Arena took off Landon Donovan, Sean Franklin, Juan Pablo Angel, and Josh Saunders, and Jose Mourinho brought in Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, and the like, things did not improve. It's had to ask Brian Perk to stop a screamer from Cristiano Ronaldo, but that's exactly what happened in the 53'. From Perk's left side, Ronaldo hit a shot that Perk could only watch whiz by as it put Real Madrid up 3-0. Madrid wasn't done. Karim Benzema hit one in the 58' after a beautiful run and a cross from Coentrao to go up 4-0.
The Galaxy were able to manage a bit of redemption. In the 67', Adam Cristman was in the right place at the right time, as a rebound flew right to his head. Cristman has been getting some increased playing time as of late, and his header salvaged something for the Galaxy fans in attendance.
Too much shouldn't be made over a friendly. Much more relevant on the day was Seattle Sounders FC defeating the Colorado Rapids to move within one point of the LA Galaxy. The Galaxy have the opportunity to gain that distance back on Wednesday, when they play Columbus as Seattle plays a friendly against Manchester United.
However, it doesn't help MLS' imagine abroad when some of it's name clubs (New England Revolution, LA Galaxy) are showing poorly against European clubs in preseason form. The Los Angeles Galaxy were completely manhandled on the pitch, and as a Los Angeles fan, there is very little to hang the proverbial hat on in this match.