SB Nation Los Angeles - Real Madrid Conquer Los Angeles, Destroy Galaxy...In Friendlyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2011-07-16T21:00:21-07:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20424812011-07-16T21:00:21-07:002011-07-16T21:00:21-07:00Real Madrid Conquer Los Angeles, Destroy Galaxy...In Friendly
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<p>LOS ANGELES, Calif-</p>
<p>It was scene reminiscent of the Gold Cup Final in Pasadena, except cut maybe in half. One could also say it was like the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/los-angeles-galaxy">Los Angeles Galaxy</a> v. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid</a> 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.</p>
<p>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'.</p>
<p>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 <span>Josh Saunders</span>, and Real Madrid went up on the Galaxy 2-0.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Things didn't improve out of the locker room. After Bruce Arena took off <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110934/landon-donovan">Landon Donovan</a>, <span>Sean Franklin</span>, <span>Juan Pablo Angel</span>, and Josh Saunders, and Jose Mourinho brought in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110670/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110858/xabi-alonso">Xabi Alonso</a>, and the like, things did not improve. It's had to ask <span>Brian Perk</span> 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. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/131262/karim-benzema">Karim Benzema</a> hit one in the 58' after a beautiful run and a cross from Coentrao to go up 4-0.</p>
<p>The Galaxy were able to manage a bit of redemption. In the 67', <span>Adam Cristman</span> 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.</p>
<p>Too much shouldn't be made over a friendly. Much more relevant on the day was <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a> FC defeating the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.burgundywave.com/">Colorado Rapids</a> 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.</p>
<p>However, it doesn't help MLS' imagine abroad when some of it's name clubs (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a>, 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.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-galaxy/2011/7/16/2279436/real-madrid-los-angeles-galaxy-cristiano-ronaldoJosie Becker2011-07-16T05:00:48-07:002011-07-16T05:00:48-07:00Real Madrid vs. LA Galaxy: Here We Go Again
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<p>The important thing to remember is that it doesn't count. Oh sure, MLS will say that this is the World Football Classic, that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/los-angeles-galaxy">Los Angeles Galaxy</a> and Vancouver Whitecaps are earning points as a team representing the MLS Western Conference. They'll tell you about three points for a win, but don't be fooled into thinking somebody is counting. When Real Madrid lace up in the LA Coliseum this weekend, the weekend of the dreaded Carmegedon, the only thing on the line is pride.</p>
<p>It's a great opportunity for all involved. Real Madrid get to collect a sizable appearance fee and grow their brand in the US, while the Galaxy get to present their brand to a European audience. Not that the Galaxy are an unknown brand in Europe; <span>David Beckham</span> took care of that.</p>
<p>It's been a week filled with lavish dinners, press conferences, and much fawning over one of the greatest collections of talent in the sport of soccer. At the end of things, the players will shake hands, Real Madrid will go back to preparing for La Liga, and the LA Galaxy will get back to MLS play.</p>
<p>All the favorites will be there of course. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110670/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>, Kaka, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110857/sergio-ramos">Sergio Ramos</a> get to go up against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110934/landon-donovan">Landon Donovan</a>, David Beckham, and <span>Omar Gonzalez</span>. Those in LA willing to brave the traffic are surely in for a treat, but at the end of the day, the facts remain the same.</p>
<p>This one is just for fun.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2011/7/16/2337971/real-madrid-vs-la-galaxy-here-we-go-againJosie Becker