It just wasn't a good night for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Coming into Pizza Hut Park looking to reverse a four-game winless streak and trying to climb out of the Western Conference cellar, they left Texas stinging from a 3-1 loss to FC Dallas.
L.A. did show some mettle after going down 1-0 in the first half, when FCD's Juan Toja netted his third goal of the year in the 24th minute. Galaxy rookie forward Robbie Findley scored for the second time in as many games for the Hoops in the 41st minute to level the match at 1-1.
That tally clearly gave the Galaxy some confidence heading into the break and shifted the momentum in the visitors' favor as they headed into the locker room.P
"It was a great response," said L.A. defender Kyle Martino. "It was the first time we got the ball down and started to move it. The mood after that was great. We were flying around and doing all the things we should have been doing from the start of the game."
Unfortunately, that confidence proved to be fleeting. FCD went ahead 2-1 after Abe Thompson converted a penalty kick in the 54th minute.
"I thought it was a great goal (by Findley)," Galaxy midfielder Santino Quaranta said. "We were doing well for a while. I thought the crucial point was not getting a second goal after we took it to them a little bit. Once we didn't get that, it took the wind out of us and we let down a little bit."
After the Galaxy had a number of chances to pull back level, FCD right back Drew Moor added another goal in the 73rd to make it 3-1 and finish off the match.
"The momentum continued through until the PK and then it felt like everyone dropped down to where we were after that first goal," Martino said. "It's unfortunate to have two or three different teams out there when you're watching the game. We have to make sure that we have consistency and bring the right attitude."
Following the match, Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop met with his players, obviously less than pleased with their effort and the L.A. locker room remained closed to media for around 40 minutes after the conclusion of the match. Once the room was opened, it was so quiet one could hear a pin drop and Yallop was not available for comment.
One thing that was hard to miss was the lack of confidence swirling around the Galaxy right now.
"I think we have to look at ourselves and figure out what we need to do because this just isn't good enough," Quaranta said. "Hopefully, we can figure it out. We're in a tough predicament right now. Everybody needs to look in the mirror right now and figure out what we need to do"
A year ago, the Galaxy failed to make the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in club history. They desperately wanted to get off to a good start this season, to put that memory in the past. It hasn't worked out that way.
"We're having a rough stretch right now. It seems like everyone has that attitude when someone scores first or we miss some good chances, it's like here we go again," said Martino. "We have some confidence issues and are doubting that we're a good team right now. Everyone is disappointed. We have to make sure at the end of the game, regardless of the result that everyone gave their all and I don't think we can say that after this match."
"I don't know if our confidence is shaken," Quaranta added. "We're just not good enough right now. I don't know what it is, but we have to figure it out."
Martino said the ability for the Galaxy to right the ship resides within themselves.
"This is my sixth year in the league and every season I have played, there have been ups and downs," he said. "There have been times where you think that no matter what, you can't manifest a victory or do what it takes to start getting those lucky chances to go in and all that stuff.
"When you go through a stretch like this, you feel like nothing is going your way. We just have to make sure that we don't try to change anything or do anything different. We just need to make sure that we bring the right attitude. We have put together good games but the heart or desire to make sure we get a point out of every game isn't there."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
