Few people in attendance Saturday at The Home Depot Center will remember the game between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Kansas City Wizards as a very entertaining game taken on the whole.
But for a 10-minute stretch in the second half, it was as entertaining as any contest this season -- and for striker Alan Gordon and the Galaxy, it might just be one of the most beautiful games they've ever seen.
Two goals by Gordon, in the 47th and 56th minutes, propelled the Galaxy to victory. For a man who was sent to Portland on loan just a few weeks ago, things have turned around for him and the Galaxy thanks in large part to his outburst in the second half, which has now given him four goals in all competitions on the campaign.
Ten minutes of good soccer was about all the energy the Galaxy could muster, and it was all that they needed as they held onto their 2-1 lead for the final 34 minutes of the game to take the three points and move to within one point of a playoff position.
"I guess it wasn't the best game entertainment-wise," said head coach Frank Yallop with a sheepish grin following tonight's game. "Obviously it's very important to get three points. That's all that matters right in this stage of the season."
The Galaxy did win ugly. However, a lot of that can be blamed on the recent schedule the Galaxy has had to play. Los Angeles has played eight games over the past month, and next week is again faced with another Wednesday-Saturday week as well. According to Yallop, fatigue played a factor in the pace of the game against the Wizards.
"I think if you looked at the team they looked very fatigued," said Yallop. "From the tough schedule we've had, for our guys to dig in and get a result out of the game I thought was fantastic."
The Galaxy went into the halftime break without a shot on goal, and with very little positive to take away from the opening 45 minutes. Yallop some how managed to find a way to stir his team up during the halftime talk to spur his team onto victory.
"I just told the guys that if we can lift out game to 25 or 30 percent of what were at right now we will get a goal," said Yallop about his intermission talk. "It happened. This is the point in the season where you have to look at yourself and make sure you're giving everything you have."
Mental fatigue has also taken a toll on Los Angeles. In addition to a difficult schedule, the Galaxy have experienced ups and downs along the way. A 5-2 win at D.C. United was followed by a 1-0 loss at Real Salt Lake, and now Saturday's game has the team riding an emotional roller coaster.
"It has to be like that. Every game is our playoff life," said Gordon. "We came out the first half a little slow, Frank reminded us we have to step it up. We're tired. We're doing the Wednesday-Saturday thing for a couple weeks. We've got to dig deep."
The Galaxy came out of the locker room seemingly fired up. Cobi Jones found a good run early to set up Gordon's first goal, and Landon Donovan played a great ball into the box from a free kick to set the table for Gordon's second strike. The goals were both well taken, and as a result his confidence looks sky high right now.
"It feels like I ate my Wheaties," said Gordon. "I guess the saying is right, once you get your first goal the floodgates are open. I'm just fortunate enough to get those goals."
The Galaxy did suffer another setback on the defensive line however. Nathan Sturgis was forced from the game at halftime due to a groin injury. At this point Yallop thinks his rookie defender will miss Wednesday night's U.S. Open Cup semifinal against Houston. The Galaxy will have Ugo Ihemelu available for both matches next week, but the Sturgis injury leaves the Galaxy paper thin on the back line.
To this point the Galaxy have managed the player games lost from injuries and suspensions well. Saturday's win goes a long way toward the Galaxy's playoff push, but at this point it seems as though if they are to get over the hump, they will be limping across the finish line.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
