Another night without David Beckham led to another loss for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The venues always change, but Beckham's limited, if any, involvement, and the results on the field have not for the Galaxy, as LA fell 1-0 to New England in front of a sell-out crowd at Gillette Stadium.
Beckham was ruled out of the contest on Sunday morning after training lightly on Saturday afternoon.
Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop said that he couldn't risk Beckham's injured left ankle in the contest.
"We spoke to David and the physio this morning," Yallop said. "The ankle was swollen after flying yesterday. We didn't want to risk it."
Yallop said that the decision was not impacted by the artificial surface at Gillette Stadium and indicated that rest was the best option for the ailing Beckham.
"We're hoping the day off today will help," Yallop said. "I think it has helped him. It is sore."
Sore describes many of the Galaxy's starters, as Los Angeles could have fielded half of their starting 11 if track suits were the uniform of choice.
"It's hard," Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan said, looking around the Galaxy locker room after the game. "We have six starters out at a minimum. There are guys who wouldn't play because they're hurt that are out there."
Heading the list is former Portuguese international Abel Xavier. Xavier was ruled out yesterday after half a training session with tendonitis in his left leg amid suspicions that he was rested ahead of Wednesday's SuperLiga semifinal against D.C. United.
Cobi Jones remains out with a hip injury, while Kelly Gray picked up a knock and was ruled out and Kyle Martino was suspended after being sent off in D.C. on Thursday night.
The injuries left Yallop with a threadbare team that included one less substitute than allowed and a first career start for left back Mike Randolph.
"We've got a few of the lads watching," Yallop said. "I thought the guys who came in did a great job."
Despite the injuries and the continued absence of Beckham, there were positives to the Galaxy's play in the second half as the team settled down and created a few chances after Taylor Twellman's 55th-minute goal.
"I'm disappointed with the loss," Yallop said. "In the second half, I felt we could have gotten something out of the game. We weathered the storm early and then I felt we had some chances."
Yet there was the lack of a cutting edge that has plagued the Galaxy all season, which left Donovan lamenting the fact that the Galaxy had conceded the eventual game-winner after surviving a hat trick of Twellman chances and significant Revolution pressure in the first half.
"Unfortunately, we gave up the goal," Donovan said. "I thought we played well in the second half."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
