Galaxy Win Versus Hard Fighting Dynamo Squad

No team likes to lose, but even more so when the stakes are high. As the jubilant Galaxy players celebrated their Major League Soccer Western Conference title, champagne splashed on the players and coaches.

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Meanwhile, Houston Dynamo players stewed in their lock room.

"Disappointed right now. because I think we played well today, at times I think we had some chances that were kind of iffy and called back," said Ricardo Clark.

Clark had an unfortunate match, pushing AJ DeLaGarza into Brian Ching for a foul that nullified Houston's apparent goal, then giving up the foul that led to the Galaxy's first goal, before finally tripping Alan Gordon for the penalty kick that added an insurance goal for the Galaxy.

Clark admitted that after a long year, the Dynamo were perhaps feeling weary.

 "Some of the guys were maybe feeling a little tired.  That adds to the fatigue factor, but double overtime, it’s kind of expected."

Brian Ching chimed in with an agreement. "You could probably say it was a little bit of fatigue, but if you look at the end of 90 minutes, I thought we were a little bit fitter than they were and every time they seemed to get a break, they came back out and played a little bit better after the stoppages."

For Alan Gordon, Houston's fatigue was something to be exploited.

"I took advantage of some tired legs," said the forward, whose dribble in the box provoked a penalty foul.

Gordon has been to the MLS Finals with the Galaxy before, but in the 2005 season, he played very little on the year. " I felt like I didn't have as big a hand as I have in the team this year," said the Los Angeles veteran of six seasons.

David Beckham promised his teammate a reward for his part in the goal. "A gift," was all the midfielder would hint.

Beckham also praised Gregg Berhalter, who put away the opening goal off a rebound from a Beckham free kick. "It took a lot of our stress away," emphasized Beckham.

Berhalter was modest about his rapid response to the opportunity. "It happens quickly and you need to react in the right way."

For veteran Eddie Lewis, it wasn't a complete shock to go from last in the Western Conference in the previous season to finishing first this year and contending for the MLS championship.

"In MLS, you can really transform quickly, if you have the right pieces in place," said Lewis. "We have the talent, it's just the matter of putting the right pieces together."

The puzzle certainly seems to be coming together well for Los Angeles.

Andrea Canales, Goal.com

How is England's lack of youth development hurting the national team? Find out in the November issue of Goal.com Magazine.