T-180: I have never tasted Argentine cuisine. But I heard that it sticks to your ribs because it's high in protein, but otherwise, that's about it. So I did a little research on das lokal Wikipedia, and I uncovered some interesting delights from Buenos Aires, the home of Boca Juniors (and River Plate and 11 other clubs in the Argentine Primera Division for the upcoming 2010-11 season).

For example, did you know that the milanesa napolitana is a regional variation of the schnitzel parmigiana? Or what the locals call pizza in Buenos Aires is the rough equivalent to calzone up here? And they have variations, too: pizza canchera, pizza rellena (stuffed pizza), pizza por metro (pizza by the meter), and pizza a la parrilla (grilled pizza). Take note, CPK...

Did you also know that fainá is a type of thin bread made with chickpea flour, AND that it is ordered as a combo with muscat (or moscato) and pizza at pizzerias in the city?

With enough steakhouses to make the health-conscious traveler make a detour to Brazil (no, that wouldn't work either because of the churrascarias..run!), asado is an enduring legacy of the Gaucho tradition in Argentina. Try some at La Estancia. I recommend it.

Sorrentinos are another Argentine institution, developed in nearby Mar del Plata. These are similar to round ravioli, but are stuffed with mozzerella, ham and ricotta.

And don't forget about those empanadas! Oh, and besides those, you can't go wrong with alfajores (shortbread cookies with caramel and a fruit paste), dulce de membrillo (cheese with quince paste) or dulce de batata (sweet potato jelly, sold by the round).

Enough talk about gastronomy (save that for your next visit to an Argentine restaurant in your neck of the woods). Time to dig into our special friendly match today: the Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Club Atletico Boca Juniors. (Besides, any more talk and I will need to order all of the food I just mentioned. Ayayay.)

T-170: With an 8-0-2 record and a comfortable lead in the Major League Soccer and MLS Western Conference standings, Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy will take on a [watered-down, but still potent] Boca Juniors side that didn't exactly have its best year. However, due to their impressive overall average the past three seasons (and they had two impressive seasons prior to their calamatous outing this year), Boca remained in the top flight.

T-160: Manager Roberto Pompei will be taking the reins on this tour. Later on, Claudio Borghi will be managing the team for the 2010 Apertura. Prior to his hiring, Borghi managed Argentinos Juniors, the 2010 Clausura champions. 

During a press conference at Brandsen Street (that's where the Alberto J. Armando Stadium is located), Borghi was looking forward to the challenge.

"Even though I am not a fan, it's an honor to lead an organization like this," Borghi said. "Usually, it takes time to gain a high-profile job [at Boca], but I jumped at the opportunity. I look old, but I am young, and we have a young coaching staf with high aspirations. It will be a tough road ahead of us, but we are confident we'll do well."

When asked about what the fans can expect, Borghi answered with more of the same.

"We have to respect the tradition and ways of Boca. Fans have told me that there are times where Boca must win by all means mnecessary. We will bring an attacking style of play, dictating the game with multiple looks. We won't change the way we will run our formations because we have to see if this will work, as it has for other coaches [in the Primera Division]."

Note that Boca's English web site is horrible with the translations. Therefore, I have to reword it into something that you can understand.

Borghi also had an interesting answer regarding the winners of the 2010 Clausura, Argentinos Juniors.

"I believe Argentinos did well in winning the title, but we were not championship material. You're crazy to think that we were ready to win that Clausura. But since the team began to gel, we like our chances in winning the title.

"Being a champion in Argentine football is important, although new teams in recent years have lifted the trophy. For me, it's a big motivator, the confidence of achieving our main objective this season."

If hopes are indeed high, then look out, we may have ourselves quite a game on our hands. The Galaxy have their own goals in mind. For example, there's the issue of returning to the MLS Cup and actually winning it, rather than losing it on spot kicks. Then, there is possibility of a double by going on a US Open Cup run. And the possibility of a treble on top of those two begins against the Puerto Rico Islanders. Actually, another chance for a treble comes with earning the Supporters Shield...hmmm.

But first things first. We have a friendly with a big name in the footballing universe to tango with tonight!

T-120: Line-ups:

T-90: Boca got its colors from the flag of Sweden. The 4146 ton freighter "Drottning Sophia," arriving to port from Copenhagen, was a Swedish vessel. La Boca, the district where the club hails from, is home to one of the busiest ports in the world. Hence, the origin. Originally it was a diagonal stripe, which later on was changed to the Boca's trademark gold horizontal band on blue.

At least it's much better than their first jersey color, which was pink.

T-60: My guts is telling me there will be a standing-room only crowd of 27,000 tonight. This could be the very first time this season that the grassy enclosure below the video board is open, the famous "Lalas Hill."

T-55: The Angel City Brigade section has been moved to accomodate the Boca Juniors supporters.

T-32: Already the Boca fans are warming up their lungs for this one. Perhaps the sharing of ideas will be exchanged between supporters groups after this friendly is over.

T-30: A half hour to go. Funny thing happened to me on the way here: I forgot about my credential, and it took me about an extra 40 minutes to get here because of Sunday transportation delays. Prince of Persia is being teased here.

T-28: This is fun stuff from the supporters in the Northwest corner. Getting those calories burned?

T-25: I wonder who will win the Eurovision Song Contest this year?

T-20: In other MLS scores from the weekend...Columbus defeated the Kansas City Wizards 1-0, an understrength Juventus team got whipped by the New York Red Bulls 3-1, Chivas USA lost to Real Salt Lake 2-1, Toronto FC silences the New England Revolution 1-0 in spite of drawing 1-1 with the Vancouver Whitecaps, the San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Seattle Sounders FC 1-0, and DC United's season on misery continues with a 2-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo. Of course, Toronto's victory was no fluke; the Revs got routed by Benfica 4-0.

More supporters of Boca join the fray. What, no Argentine flag?

T-15: While the HDC has its intentions, the security would be wise not to cross the line when it comes to these supporters. The next stops on the Boca Juniors  I wtour include a May 26 date with the Seattle Sounders and a May 29 match with the Portland Timbers.

Here come the drums.

T-10: We are 10 minutes away from the start of this match. Both teams to the change rooms, and a parade of champions.

T-9: I wonder if the national anthem of Argentina will be played today. Pretty good opus.

T-7: Our match referee is Elias Bazakos. Frank Anderson and Ian Anderson are the linesmen and Baldomero Toledo is our fourth official this afternoon. A little competition here between the Boca fans and the ACB. Fun stuff. But why the heck is the Riot Squad resting this one?

T-0: Because this is a club friendly, the FIFA Anthem is played. And for the first time this year, the Argentine national anthem is played. Jasmine V with the Star-Spangled Banner.

Strong winds are in the forecast today. Are these coming from Buenos Aires? That was a joke, by the way. Buenos aires means "good air" in Spanish. Ah, and both sides take a group photo. It's a friendly, after all.

FIRST HALF START: 5:09 P.M. PT

1' - Here's we go. In the words of Enrique "El Perro" Bermudez, "¡Aficionados, que viven la intensida de futbol!"

2' - First corner of the match, to Boca. Punched away by Josh Saunders. Expect a fast-paced match today. A little simulation? Mind the cheekiness, Elias.

3' - Here comes Boca. Too high a kick. Goal kick for Saunders.

4' - Another goal kick for Saunders. Both sides will be feeling each other out.

5' - Galaxy resets the rotation. This is Pablo Mouche, trying to get something going early.

6' - What the heck was Ezequiel Munoz doing? That was almost criminal right there. Too long for Gaston Rossi.

7' - Throw-in for Alex Cazumba, making his first start. Too high on the header by Eddie Lewis, but it's a corner.

8' - Great save by Javier Garcia. Here comes Boca on the transition. Hard tackle on Lewis by captain Hugo Ibarra. He's up, though.

9' - Some patience in the back third will be in order for Boca. Throw in for the Xeneizes.

11' - Early on in the match, scoreless.  Ibarra is the mastermind of Pompei's 4-4-2 system. Nothing LA hasn't seen before. It will all boil down to skill and athleticism. And a dash of luck.

13' - In other news, Rosario Central got demoted to the Nacional B after losing to Club Atletico All Boys 3-0. They are known as "El Albo," an abbreviation of the team name. Goal kick for Saunders.

14' - Yellow card 4 Hugo Ibarra
Boca Juniors

It was a rash challenge, and Bazakos had no choice. A young Cobi Jones on the video monitor. And that ensuing set piece is quitessential Keystone Kops football right there.

15' - Still can't believe that Rosario Central's star has fallen this year. While they are a minor favorite, they are still a favorite, and it's too bad for them. But I would like to see how "Los Albos" will do  in the Apertura.

16' - A change for Mouche is denied by Gregg Berhalter.

17' - Throw-in for Cazumba. Incidental contact. Here comes Boca.

18' - Saunders swoops in for that one. Goal kick.

19' - The Boca fans continue to bring in a little taste of "La Bombonera" to Calle Victoria.

20' - Tango lesson going well; still scoreless.  This is Eddie LEwis. Pass inside the box cleared by Munoz. Goal kick for Garcia.

21' - Breyner Bonilla resets things for the Xeneizes. Here comes the Galaxy, but Boca intercepts and go on the counter.

22' - Pay attention, Gaston Rossi! A lesson well leaqrned as Boca slow the pace a little. Offsides on Mouche.

23' - It seems more like a Boca home game than a Galaxy home game with the way things are going.

24' - Michael Stephens is turned around by Bonilla.

25' - Here comes Boca on the attack. However, that chance for ROssi is stopped.

26' - A shot for Rossi goes wide right. Best chance for Boca early. Dangerous one, too.

27' - Here's Ibarra again. I love that collective gasp by the fans. Pretty good stuff.

28' - Stephens almost got the best out of that scramble. Some action inside the Boca box. Wasted chance by Clint Mathis. He gets a break with the set piece.

29' - Diving save by Garcia. At least that wasn't Keystone Kops quality. Save was the type of proof of what his ability can do. No one in the neighborhood for that corner.

30' - Saunders gets tangled up, but still gets the corner.

31' - So we have seen some close calls and questionable decision making to go with physical play, but it's still scoreless. Matias Gimenez is tackled on that one.

32' - Saunders is there to grab that shot by Lucas Viatri. He's had to do some work today. Wonder if we will get to see Ricketts in the 2nd half.

33' - Boca back on the offensive. Offsides, though.

34' - So much for the possible sellout. But there is a good turnout for this contest. Throwin-in for Boca.

35' - Oooh, that was another good one from Viatri. Saunders grabs that one.

36' - A chance for the G's forwards is swept up by Garcia and the Boca backline.

38' - Boca has been snapping up the possession, but that is offsides on Gimenez.

39' - Rossi a bit shaken but he gets up. The Xeneizes reset.

40' - Not bad marking by Breyner Bonilla. His big presence has made it a problem for this [watered-down] Galaxy attack.

41' - And that was an easy one for Viatri. How did he butcher that one?

42' - Here's a corner for Boca. The supporters in the NW corner anticipate.

43' - Too high for Bonilla off the Jesus Mendez corner...Goal kick Saunders.

44' - Throw-in for the G's. And this isn't good. Mathis is a bit shaken-up. Butr he is fine. Sportsmanlike gesture by ROssi. Class act.

45' - So, how many minutes of first-half stoppage time do we have here?  Goal kick for Saunders.

45' + 1' - One minute of stoppage time. A quick first half this will be, with both sides scoreless.

HALFTIME

Los Angeles Galaxy 0

Boca Juniors 0

SECOND HALF START: 6:13 p.m. PT

46' - The second half is underway. And that was a 30-year wait for All Boys that ended today. Wow. Congratulations Mt. San Antonio College for earning state and national titles. Perhaps a few of these players will play for Boca? Who knows.

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 5 Yohance Marshall
OUT 4 Omar Gonzales

Boca arriving straight from the locker room on to the pitch. Interesting. Let's see what they do.

47' - Controlled possession will be key to Boca taking at least one goal here. Here's Stephens.

48' - Too much space given up, but that will be a goal kick for Saunders after too little mustard on the hot dog.

49' - A huge chance for LA is scooped up by Garcia. Munoz nearly paid the price there.

50' - Throw-in for Chris Klein. Alex Cazumba clears for a Boca corner. Great initial defending, but Boca Juniors are on the attack again. A couple of chances for Matias Gimenez are stopped by Saunders. Great sequence from the Galaxy backup keeper of the match.

51' - Klein goes over the shoulder. The Boca boys go back on the offensive.

Yellow card 16 Gregg Berhalter
Los Angeles Galaxy

Rough challenge on Mouche draws the ire of Elias Bazakos. Set piece time for Boca.

53' - Another tip over the top for Saunders. And another corner. Let's see what happens here. Did Munoz underestimate the skills of the BACKUP? This isn't Donovan Ricketts in goal, and already Josh Saunders has the game of his life so far.

54' - Galaxy on the offensive. A few big chances, and a long shot goes too strong for Klein.

55' - Here is Luciano Fabian Monzon with the throw-in. Percussion now goes to work.

56' - Galavision with some stock footage shots of the Boca subs warming up the legs.

57' - Not sure what Bowen was thinking, but it leads to a Boca counterattack. Mouche got upended. No foul. Can't get it all, Paulie.

58' - Here comes the Boca boys again. Berhalter sets things straight. Goal kick for Saunders. Garcia counters with a grab of his own.

59' - Bowen is brave in trying to miss his marker in Bonilla. Throw-in for the Galaxy. Cazumba resets.

60' - So we are two-thirds of the way here, and it's scoreless. Foul on the Galaxy. Set piece for the Xeneizes. Saunders saves that.

61' - It's goalmouth to goalmouth as Garcia resets the rotation for Boca. Here they come.

63' Double-collision right there. Ouch.

64' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 20 AJ De La Garza
OUT 16 Gregg Berhalter

Substitution Los Angeles
IN 27 Bryan Jordan
OUT 11 Chris Birchall

Corner for Boca by Mouche. Great save by Saunders off the Rossi volley

65' - So we are 65 minutes in the match, and Saunders has been a gem. He has been featured on the "This Is The Los Angeles Galaxy" series early for a reason.

66' - Here comes Boca on the offensive. The tempo accelerates. Horrible shot but it will be a corner, Mouche to take. High header.

68' - Here comes Mouche again, and that header for Rossi is saved. Another corner for Boca.

Substitution Boca Juniors
IN 14 Sergio Araujo
OUT 5 Jesus Mendez

69' - This is a stanza of great goalkeeping by Josh Saunders. Pompei may want to consider signing him up for a trial with the way things are going.

70' - Galaxy reset on defense. you know, with the way things are going right now, Saunders might need to be signed on trial with the Xeneizes.

71' -Too high of a shot inside the Boca attacking third.

72' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 2 Todd Dunivant
OUT 6 Eddie Lewis

73' - Hard tackle on Bowen. Set piece for Franklin. Even the people in the press box are Boca fans. Holy cow.

74' - Boca back on the offensive. Excellent speed by Luciano Monzon on the wing.

75' - Corner time for Mouche. Well-marked. Way too far for Tristan Bowen. Boy, he wanted that one.

76' - Substitution Boca Juniors
IN 11 Orlando Gaona Lugo
OUT 7 Pablo Mouche

77' - Another great save from Josh Saunders on Araujo.

78' - Boca back on the offensive. Saunders takes that one. How many times have I called him name on this Play-by-Play?

79' - Some antics in the northwest corner, where the supporters' action is. Mike Magee ready to check in for the G's.

80' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 18 Mike Magee
OUT 84 Clint Mathis

Attendance is 18,268 for this match. So much for the sell-out, but we will take two-thirds capacity any old day. Fans in the ACB sway side to side.

Substitution Boca Juniors
IN 15 Nicolas Colazo
OUT 17 Matias Gimenez

81' - Halftime at US Airways Arena. Phoenix Suns 54, Los Angeles Lakers 47. NOW they show up. Good save on the header bu Araujo. He's getting his touches.

82' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 17 tristan Bowen Assist 26 Michael Stephens
Breakthrough goal. And finally, the G's make Boca pay for giving up too much real estate.

84' - It's now up to Boca to deliver an equalizer. Frustration begins to mount.

86' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 20 Nicolas Blandi
OUT 19 Breyner Bonilla

87' - Goal kick for Saunders. Let's see what happens in these closing minutes.

88' - Cheeky attempt with the overhead, but that's not going to work.

89' - Now I don't know which one to do here for this week's "TITLAG" special. Ahhh, maybe a twofer will do.

90' + 1' - How many minutes of stoppage time? Three minutes of stoppage time...and a corner.

90' + 2' - Dispossessed. Here comes Boca. Do they have any more in the tank?

90' + 3' - Header goes wide left. That's it!

LOS ANGELES GALAXY 1

BOCA JUNIORS 0

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