The last time the Los Angeles Galaxy played FC Dallas, it was on May 20 and the Galaxy dominated, prevailing 5-1 thanks to an Edson Buddle hat trick. But on Sunday night, the MLS Western Conference sides met for the first time since that shellacking that resulted in a coaching change for FCD and this time, the Hoops won 4-0.
"It was almost deja vu," Galaxy head coach Ruud Gullit said. "In the last game, we were very quickly up and they were chasing us. This time, it was us who couldn't cope with the heat. We couldn't do the things that we wanted to do and were chasing the game. It was a hard game for us."
By the 17th minute, LA was down 2-0 thanks to a pair of goals by FCD striker Kenny Cooper. Another by Dominic Oduro made it 3-0 in the 36th and Abe Thompson punctuated the evening's scoring with a goal in the 89th.
But according to Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, the seeds for the embarrassing defeat were sown before the opening kick.
"We didn't deserve to win," Beckham said. "We didn't play well and didn't start the game well. Our attitude was bad before the game. So, nothing really positive to take from this game. The best team won on the day. Congratulations to them. We have a lot to work on. We have to forget this game now and try to stay positive for the game next weekend. We're disappointed."
In the opening frame, LA was outshot by FCD 10-4, but the Galaxy didn't put a shot on target. For the game, FCD outshot the Galaxy 25-11.
Other than the Galaxy surrendering an early lead, the story of the day was oppressive heat that measured 102 degrees at kickoff.
"I think that is what it is," Gullit said. "If you deal with it well in that moment, then you will do well. You hope that your team does well under the circumstances. Today, it was difficult for them. Sometimes you have it and sometimes you don't have it. They played well and we didn't."
However, for Beckham, trailing early combined with the playing conditions set an ominous tone for the entire evening.
"I think when you go a goal down so quickly in the day, especially in this heat, chasing the game is always tough," he said. "We didn't start the game well. Even before they scored the goal, we were losing the ball and weren't passing the ball well around the field. We just didn't play well and were always chasing the game. In this heat, that makes it tougher."
The English international said there are lessons that he and his teammates can learn before the Galaxy play at San Jose next Sunday.
"Yes, there must be some lesson to learn from the game," Beckham said. "At the moment, we're trying hard to find out what it is. I think the biggest thing was our attitude in starting the game. We didn't start well and didn't play the ball around well. We were too deep all through the team and when you start off like that, it's tough for any team."
Gullit's back line was dealt a blow when Troy Roberts couldn't start and had to be replaced by Greg Vanney. And Sean Franklin wasn't completely match fit but did enter at the half for Alvaro Pires.
"We were also unlucky that Sean Franklin couldn't play. He wasn't even fit and I had to take him out," Gullit said. "Then, while we were warming up, Troy Roberts was injured also. Those were players who haven't played together much and that was difficult. I don't think we still have the pieces that we need (on defense). I think that we look good on the outside but I think in the center, we suffer a little bit, especially today."
Even though Beckham, Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan played in Thursday's MLS All-Star Game and didn't return to LA until Friday afternoon, Beckham was quick to say that fatigue was no excuse for how poorly the Galaxy performed.
"There's always going to be a slight bit of that between me, Landon (Donovan) and Edson (Buddle)," he said. "But the rest of the team has had a few days off to recuperate from the travel to New York. We're not going to look for an excuse with fatigue or anything like that. At the end of the day, as a team, we just didn't play well."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
