Emotions were running high Saturday night at The Home Depot Center as the Los Angeles Galaxy took on the New England Revolution in the season opener for both teams.
It was a rematch of last November's MLS Cup Final, but unlike that match, won by the Galaxy, this time it was the Revolution who claimed the 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Clint Dempsey midway through the first half.
Thirty minutes before kickoff, the emotional roller coaster began. The Galaxy paid tribute to Doug Hamilton, the Galaxy president and general manager who passed away just before the start of the season. Almost immediately following, the Galaxy were presented with their championship rings, and the fans were treated to a fireworks display.
With a cloud of smoke still looming overhead, the game began and the emotion of the night seemed to be tilted in favor of the Galaxy, as the opening 20 minutes belonged to the men in green and gold.
"I thought that the first 20-25 minutes of the game we played quite well. We created a couple opportunities," said Galaxy head coach Steve Sampson. "If we put one of those away it's a different game. I think the emotion of the match, and all the pre-game ceremony before we stepped on the pitch, hopefully wasn't that much of a distraction but in the end I think we'll evaluate that it was."
The Galaxy seemed to ride that emotion through the opening moments of the first half, but then quickly hit a wall. Their play leveled off and never got back on track the rest of the game. They failed to connect in all areas of the field, whether it be from defense to midfield or midfield to attack.
"We just got sloppy I thought, myself included," said right back Chris Albright after the game. "We were technically sloppy all over the field. Possessions where we had a chance to go forward we gave to them and lost out on opportunities."
Credit can also be given to the Revolution, who tactically forced the Galaxy out of their element. New England head coach Steve Nicol played three forwards, with Pat Noonan wide left and Clint Dempsey wide right. The formation forced the Galaxy wingbacks to commit more to defense, and forced the Galaxy attack into the middle, the strength of the Revolution defense.
Still it was the Galaxy who dominated up until Dempsey's goal in the 33rd minute. That was the deciding moment, not only on the scoreboard, but also on the entire rhythm the rest of the match.
"I thought we started off great, but goals will do that," said Herculez Gomez. "They'll help your team or they'll crush it, and today it crushed us. Dempsey scored and took the wind out of our sails. It was almost like we were stuck in second gear and they were running on all cylinders."
To the Revolution's credit, they managed to weather the early storm and exacted a bit of revenge on the Galaxy. While the Galaxy were receiving their rings, the team they beat in the MLS Cup Final was watching and waiting for the game to start.
"It's a little bit of payback. But they've got the rings and we don't," Dempsey said following the game. "At the same time it was nice to get the win."
The game's only goal came on a set piece. Andy Dorman drove a free kick into the massed penalty area and Dempsey did well to win the ball, but the goal again highlighted a recurring problem for the Galaxy.
Los Angeles struggled all last season defending set pieces. The problem then reared its ugly head against Deportivo Saprissa in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, when two of the three goals they conceded in Costa Rica came from free kicks. And again on Saturday, a set piece spelled the Galaxy's demise.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
