Although it had been an inconsistent and sometimes tumultuous year, the Los Angeles Galaxy still had an opportunity to make the MLS Cup Playoffs going into the final game of the regular season.
The Galaxy headed to Chicago on Sunday with a seven-game unbeaten streak, winning five of those contests. Los Angeles needed a victory in order to advance to the playoffs. But a goal by Fire reserve midfielder John Thorrington late in stoppage time called time on the Galaxy's charge and ended their season.
Chicago managed to outshoot the Galaxy 22-5, but the game was still undecided until the final moments because of the great play of goalkeeper Joe Cannon. The L.A. netminder had nine saves but could not stop a 10-yard chip shot by Thorrington that softly went over his outstretched fingers for the game-winner.
"[Sunday] was a night where I almost felt like we were a second division or a pub team and they were Chelsea," Cannon said. "I haven't seen that many shots in a while. We didn't have a sense of urgency until the last 30 minutes of the game that we needed to score.
"Chicago did a good job of taking advantage of us not being organized and being lost. We were still feeling our legs from Thursday [1-1 tie with New York] and it was just one of those things where it's disappointing because I don't think we played our best, but give Chicago a lot of credit."
Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop said the team's recent winning streak might have worn them out in the season finale.
"It is very disappointing considering with the run we had," Yallop said. "We felt coming into the game that we had a good chance so it is disappointing. I think in the first half we came out pretty flat and tired to be honest from our game Thursday night. I felt in the second half that we did try to push the issue. Obviously getting caught in the break a few times and Chicago should have scored especially in the first half, but that's football."
On Sept. 16, the Galaxy were all but done, with just four wins on the season after a disheartening home loss to Houston Dynamo. But the great run over the final weeks provided a terrific end to the season, even if it did conclude on a down note.
"It's been a great run obviously to get to this point. For us, it's quite amazing really as a group. The guys have really dug deep and done well. We're just disappointed to be knocked out in our last game," Yallop said.
David Beckham once again came on as a substitute, entering the contest in the 58th minute.
"We've had a good run but obviously early season is what affected us more than anything," Beckham said. "We have to win games through the season instead of relying on the last five or six games to come back into it. But we've ended the season sort of on a high note -- apart from this game -- and we have to be positive about next season."
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder and captain Landon Donovan believed his team has made great strides in 2007.
"If you would have told me earlier in the year that we would be in a position to go to the playoffs in the last game of the season, I would not have believed you," Donovan said. "We need to be careful to not get too caught up in the disappointment of this moment."
The game also provided a farewell for another MLS legend, Cobi Jones, who played his final game at Toyota Park after spending all 12 MLS seasons with the Galaxy.
"He's devastated in the locker room; he's really upset and devastated. I think that shows his character. He wants to do well, he wants to win. Everything he's done since he's started playing this sport he's been a winner and he's been a legend, to be honest, for the Galaxy and U.S. soccer," said Yallop.
"... It's a shame that we went out this way but you know, again he was a big part of the reason we got to this point, at least the last game of the season. But it's disappointing that he's not in the playoffs and he isn't seeing the season out in his last season on a high."
Tim Hilton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
