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Galaxy, AC Milan Play To 2-2 Draw
David Beckham assisted on the tying goal, even as boos rained on him early on.
Jul 20, 2009 1:07:15 AM
CARSON, Calif. -- On a clear and balmy Southern California night, the
sold-out crowd on hand for the Los Angeles Galaxy versus AC Milan
friendly was treated to four goals, the venting of emotions by
frustrated Galaxy fans upset about Beckham's extended loan, and the
redemption - at least somewhat, of the English star through his gritty
play.
First Half
Even as the players were introduced, it was clear that many Galaxy fans had no problem expressing thier outrage at Beckham's revelations that he plans again to go on loan and play a shortened Major League Soccer season with the squad next year. They booed his name as soon as it was announced, and the booing continued lustily at his every touch.
Plenty of AC Milan fans were in attendance, and their enthusiasm was especially evident every time Ronaldinho, another player looking to redeem himself, took a touch on the ball.
As the match got going, Eddie Lewis had the first chance for either team, when he took a ball down from Beckham and shot wide of Zeljko Kalac's goal.
Milan were clearly in preseason form, as their touches were a bit off at times, but the squad soon settled into a rhythm and improved their attacks.
However, it was a Galaxy error that helped Milan to their first goal. A free kick was awarded that Di Gennaro took in the 16th minute, and Thisgo Silva timed his run perfectly, which seemed to confuse Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who couldn't see the ball well as Silva pushed his head out for it. He missed, but as the ball bounced down, it eluded the grasp of Ricketts and bounced into the goal.
Though he may only have gotten a whisper of a touch on the ball, Silva celebrated the early lead with his teammates.
Things looked bleak for the Galaxy, especially when forward Edson Buddle limped off after injuring his foot. He was replaced by Alan Gordon in the 23rd minute.
However, the Galaxy struck back.
In the 30th minute, Omar Gonzalez rose high in the Galaxy box for a clearing header on a free kick, whipping his head sharply to send the ball out at angle to Beckham. The midfielder took a quick touch, running the sideline with the ball before raising his head and sending a 40 yard crossfield pass to Landon Donovan, who was running with Alessandro Nesta and Marek Jankulovski chasing to defend. Kalac was off his line and coming forward, but Donovan hit an excellent square pass to Gordon, whose first-time strike slotted perfectly behind Kalac and into the net.
The teams traded possession for some time in search of another chance. Beckham's penetrating long passes helped the Galaxy move into the attack at different points.
Marco Borriello had perhaps the best look at goal for Milan in the 39th, but his shot went wide right.
The Galaxy threatened again in the 43rd, when the persistent play of Gordon earned LA a free kick. Todd Dunivant was able to get on Beckham's service, but the header went wide and the two teams went into the break even.
Second Half
A number of substitutions left most of the Galaxy starters on the sideline, including Alecko Eskandarian, who left due to a hard knock.
It was Milan who struck first in the second period.
The goal fell through the work of Milan's own super-sub, Filippo Inzaghi, who knocked in a goal on a counterattack, timing his run perfectly in the box to score on Josh Saunders.
Yet the Galaxy were again able to rally for a tying goal, when the team earned a corner kick in the 65th minute.
Beckham, who had stayed in the match, walked over to the corner kick very deliberately, as it was by the Galaxy supporter's section which had booed him the loudest. When Beckham sent in the service, it fell precisely into the box, where Bryan Jordan pinged it into the back of the net for the equalizer.
Jordan did his trademark front flip to celebrate the score, while Beckham turned and faced the fans, raising a finger to his lips as if to shush their booing.
In the 70st minute, Jordan missed on a golden opportunity when Gordon brought the ball down in the box and laid the ball back for a charging Jordan, who unfortunately put too much heat into his shot and blazed it over the bar.
Beckham was subbed out for Mike Magee shortly afterwards, but the squads stayed even until the final whistle.
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
First Half
Even as the players were introduced, it was clear that many Galaxy fans had no problem expressing thier outrage at Beckham's revelations that he plans again to go on loan and play a shortened Major League Soccer season with the squad next year. They booed his name as soon as it was announced, and the booing continued lustily at his every touch.
Plenty of AC Milan fans were in attendance, and their enthusiasm was especially evident every time Ronaldinho, another player looking to redeem himself, took a touch on the ball.
As the match got going, Eddie Lewis had the first chance for either team, when he took a ball down from Beckham and shot wide of Zeljko Kalac's goal.
Milan were clearly in preseason form, as their touches were a bit off at times, but the squad soon settled into a rhythm and improved their attacks.
However, it was a Galaxy error that helped Milan to their first goal. A free kick was awarded that Di Gennaro took in the 16th minute, and Thisgo Silva timed his run perfectly, which seemed to confuse Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who couldn't see the ball well as Silva pushed his head out for it. He missed, but as the ball bounced down, it eluded the grasp of Ricketts and bounced into the goal.
Though he may only have gotten a whisper of a touch on the ball, Silva celebrated the early lead with his teammates.
Things looked bleak for the Galaxy, especially when forward Edson Buddle limped off after injuring his foot. He was replaced by Alan Gordon in the 23rd minute.
However, the Galaxy struck back.
In the 30th minute, Omar Gonzalez rose high in the Galaxy box for a clearing header on a free kick, whipping his head sharply to send the ball out at angle to Beckham. The midfielder took a quick touch, running the sideline with the ball before raising his head and sending a 40 yard crossfield pass to Landon Donovan, who was running with Alessandro Nesta and Marek Jankulovski chasing to defend. Kalac was off his line and coming forward, but Donovan hit an excellent square pass to Gordon, whose first-time strike slotted perfectly behind Kalac and into the net.
The teams traded possession for some time in search of another chance. Beckham's penetrating long passes helped the Galaxy move into the attack at different points.
Marco Borriello had perhaps the best look at goal for Milan in the 39th, but his shot went wide right.
The Galaxy threatened again in the 43rd, when the persistent play of Gordon earned LA a free kick. Todd Dunivant was able to get on Beckham's service, but the header went wide and the two teams went into the break even.
Second Half
A number of substitutions left most of the Galaxy starters on the sideline, including Alecko Eskandarian, who left due to a hard knock.
It was Milan who struck first in the second period.
The goal fell through the work of Milan's own super-sub, Filippo Inzaghi, who knocked in a goal on a counterattack, timing his run perfectly in the box to score on Josh Saunders.
Yet the Galaxy were again able to rally for a tying goal, when the team earned a corner kick in the 65th minute.
Beckham, who had stayed in the match, walked over to the corner kick very deliberately, as it was by the Galaxy supporter's section which had booed him the loudest. When Beckham sent in the service, it fell precisely into the box, where Bryan Jordan pinged it into the back of the net for the equalizer.
Jordan did his trademark front flip to celebrate the score, while Beckham turned and faced the fans, raising a finger to his lips as if to shush their booing.
In the 70st minute, Jordan missed on a golden opportunity when Gordon brought the ball down in the box and laid the ball back for a charging Jordan, who unfortunately put too much heat into his shot and blazed it over the bar.
Beckham was subbed out for Mike Magee shortly afterwards, but the squads stayed even until the final whistle.
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
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