LA Galaxy vs. Puerto Rico Islanders: A Play-By-Play and Other Miscellany
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Wednesday, 04 August 2010 22:09

T-60: It's going to take an Act of God to allow the Los Angeles Galaxy to advance here in the second leg of the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Round against the Puerto Rico Islanders.

Bruce Arena's side are a team out of form, and have no one but themselves to blame for this torrid meltdown.

 

T-45: Lineups:

LOS ANGELES GALAXY (USA) League: Major League Soccer Manager: Bruce Arena Formation: 4-2-1-3 Colors: Dark blue tops, dark blue shorts, dark blue socks

1 Donovan Ricketts
20 A.J. De La Garza ---- 22 Leonardo ---- 4 Omar Gonzalez ---- 2 Todd Dunivant
27 Bryan Jordan ---- 8 Dema Kovalenko ---- 88 Alex Cazumba
10 Landon Donovan (C)
17 Tristan Bowen ---- 14 Edson Buddle

PUERTO RICO ISLANDERS (PUR) League: USSF Division-2 Professional League (USL First Division) Manager: Colin Clarke Formation: Colors: Orange tops, orange shorts, orange socks
1 Bill Gaudette
2 Scott Jones ---- 4 Marco Velez ---- 13 David Horst ---- 3 Richard Martinez
5 Noah Delgado (C) ---- 20 Josh Hansen ---- 8 Christopher Nurse ---- 18 Osei Telesford
7 David Foley ---- 11 Nicholas Addlery
T-40: A little history on this stadium. The Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium (Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel) is a 12,500-seat stadium at Route 2 and Route 5, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The stadium has easy access with one metro station (known as "Deportivo Station") on premises.

Built in 1974 and originally used for baseball, it was home to the "Vaqueros de Bayamón" up until 2003 when the team ceased to exist. In 2003, with the Vaqueros folding the stadium seemed doomed to be relegated to a youth stadium or demolition, but late that same year the stadium was reborn and was to be home for another professional club. However, this time it would be as an association football stadium. It had been chosen by the Puerto Rico Islanders as their new home. Its "L" shaped stands were not suited for the sport and it originally had an awkward feel to it since the stand behind the goal angles away from the pitch. This has led most of the fans to prefer to sit in the part of the stands that run parallel to the pitch. T-30: The stadium also home to Bayamon FC, a professional football team in the Puerto Rico Soccer League. It used to be home Sevilla Bayamon FC, now called Sevilla-FC Juncos, after they moved to Juncos. It has also played host to the CFU Club Championship Group C in 2006, where the Islanders played but lost to Trinidad and Tobago, W Connection 0-1 and the Puerto Rico MLS-USL Challenge in 2007, and two 2010 World Cup qualifying matches against the Dominican Republic and Honduras. T-20: Over the four years that it has hosted the sport, it has created an atmosphere that is unique to the stadium and the Islanders. It has played host to the resurgence of association football in Puerto Rico and has been given the nickname "La Meca" because it has been a key player in the sport's rise to popularity in the island. It is also called "JRL" by fans as an abbreviation of its official name. Another name that has been used for the stadium is "La Islandera" since it's the home of the Islanders. T-15: Fifteen minutes to kickoff, and the island is brimming with confidence that they can cruise through this second leg. FIRST HALF START: 5:06 P.M. PT

1' - We are underway. This is a 4-3-1-2 formation.

3' - A great save from Bill Gaudette to start things up. Dubious challenge from Tristan Bowen on Osei Telesford.

4' - Another foul on the Galaxy. And this was just frustration early. Well-deserved.

Yellow card 88 Alex Cazumba, Los Angeles Galaxy

5' - Yellow card 18 Osei Telesford, Puerto Rico Islanders

Telesford had to make that challenge.

6' - Donovan Ricketts goes off his line for the save. The Big Cat from Montego Bay will be licking his wounds this week.

7' - Berhalter and Birchall paid the price for their lack of form by not making the trip. 

8' - Leonardo resets for the Galaxy.

9' - Barbados's Trevor Taylor is our match official today. A little shove, but it seemed to have some simulation mixed in. Ball to the Islanders.

10' - Here's Ricketts again with a goal kick, and the Galaxy attack looks to be running on Kryptonite.

11' - Edson Buddle with the harsh tackle ... and here's the yellow.

Yellow card 14 Edson Buddle, Los Angeles Galaxy

12' - This is not a pitch in good condition; there are viewable divets.

13' - Back comes Puerto Rico, and Ricketts has to do the work. Again, when will the back line quit giving up the waves? It just doesn't seem to stop.

14' - Atrocious shot from Bowen goes wide left. Yawn.

15' - Offsides, P.R. You know, I was joking before the first leg with the Home Depot Center staff that we were facing the Public Relations team. Well, it seems the Public Relations team is making the Galaxy look bad. Corner.

16' - Terrible service from Donovan. Goal kick, Gaudette.

17' - Bryan Jordan went in a little too early. Ugh. This has been an epitome of the last few matches, folks.

18' - Kovalenko got turned, but Puerto Rico went offsides.

19' - 19 minutes, and it is still scoreless in this first leg.

20' - These late whistles are becoming a chronic issue tonight.

21' - Back comes Puerto Rico. Header over the top from Noah Delgado. Here's a corner for the Islanders.

22' - Ricketts again with another save. Christopher Nurse nearly drove that home.

23' - Josh Hansen with take two ... action. Cleared, and the counter never materialized.

24' - Donovan was tripped up, but Taylor says advantage.

25' - I would think that Taylor doesn't care much about this contest, as Gaudette takes the goal kick. With the fouls called against Los Angeles, he wants to make it a formality, and I can't blame him. But in all seriousness, Bryan Jordan should have done better.

26' - Terrible shot from Landon Donovan. Is the Galaxy attack going with the lottery approach here, as in trying their luck by going outside rather than outmuscle Puerto Rico in this box? It's not a very good tactic, if you ask me.

27' - Both teams continue to jostle for the ball 27 minutes into the contest.

28' - Donovan could not get keep that in bounds; goal kick Gaudette.

29' - The wave rolls through the Loubriel.

30' - Frustration mounts for Bruce Arena, and I can't blame him; his seat's gotten a bit warm after the past few matches.

31' - Again with the lottery approach, Galaxy? Man, I am up in arms over this played tactic.

32' - You have to be creative in this instance, and they aren't as Puerto Rico go back on the offensive. Here comes a free kick. Penalty! Oh dear, and Taylor really want this to be a formality right now. Homer!

Yellow card 14 Edson Buddle, Los Angeles Galaxy

Terrible decision from Buddle to make that tackle inside.

34' - GOAL! Puerto Rico Islanders 7 David Foley (penalty)
If I was Taylor, I would point to the spot as well, because I am sick and tired of seeing this Galaxy side throw away their productive form as this juncture of the season.

35' - 35 minutes in, and it's 1-0 Islanders.

37' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy Own goal 4 Marco Velez, Puerto Rico Islanders
Is there still hope for this side? That will be rare consolation for sure.

40' - A chance for David Foley is held back due to offsides. 

42' - 42 minutes in, and it's still 1-1.

43' - Gaudette still proves that he is clutch in the net. Nobody is helping Donovan on the right side of the six-yard box. No follow-through means no goal. Where is the help? A horrendous malediction!

44' - Scott Jones is shaken up for the Puerto Rico Islanders. Here's a sub.

45' - Two minutes of stoppage time. They should go quickly. 

45' + 2' - Omar Gonzalez with the clearance. It's halftime, and the Galaxy are right where they began.

Substitution Puerto Rico Islanders - IN 19 Kevin Villaroel, OUT 2 Scott Jones

HALFTIME
Los Angeles Galaxy 1 Marco Velez 37' (Own Goal)
Puerto Rico Islanders 1 David Foley 34'
Puerto Rico leads 5-2 on aggregate
In other CONCACAF Champions League action, Toronto FC drew 2-2 with Montagua to progress 3-2 on aggregate, the Seattle Sounders drew 1-1 with Metapan to advance 2-1 and Cruz Azul bombed San Francisco 6-0 to win 9-2. Also taking place today are Santos Laguna vs. San Juan Jabloteh and Marathon vs. Tauro. Marathon currently leads Tauro 3-0 on aggregate and Santos currently leads 1-0 over Jabloteh.

SECOND HALF START: 6:09 P.M. PT

46' - The second half begins, and this could be the last 45 minutes of the Galaxy's run in CONCACAF Champions League play. I may be this team's beat writer on B/R, but in all honesty, I really think it should be. Bad shot from Sean Franklin.

47' - And what was Dema Kovalenko doing? He was off on the communication with Sean Franklin on that pass.

48' - Heavy first touch from Edson Buddle. Noah Delgado, in all honest, needs to play in MLS. Actually, if MLS scouts are looking at this Islanders side, I think a few of them may be making the jump next year.

50' - Spectacular clearance from Kevin Villaroel.

51' - A shot from Donovan is tipped for a corner. Sean Franklin with the lottery approach.

52' - Back come the Islanders. Omar Gonzales looks to reset for the Galaxy. Another save from Bill Gaudette. What is with the dubious shot selection from this side?

53' - Too long for Buddle. The connections have been running a bit dry.

54' - Here we go again with the bad passing from the front.

55' - And terrible shooting to go with it. Tristan Bowen with a howler.

56' - Offsides, Buddle. And so the futility continues.

57' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy - IN 21 Alan Gordon, OUT 27 Bryan Jordan

58' - Another save from Gaudette, and a great clearance from Nicolas Addlery.

59' - You have to love the work from David Horst. He probably is what this Galaxy backline needs.

60' - And Sean Franklin ... he should have done better on that chance from Tristan Bowen. Sixty minutes in, and it's 1-1, 5-2 Puerto Rico on aggregate.

63' - Richard Martinez with the anticipation. He can lift his head high knowing that he didn't score an own goal in this match. At least not yet ...

64' - Sliding challenge, and Alan Gordon pays the price.

Yellow card 21 Alan Gordon, Los Angeles Galaxy

65' - You begin to wonder if Arena should run his players into the turf after Real Madrid does it for them on Saturday.

66' - Throw-in for Puerto Rico. Mike Magee may be coming in here.

67' - If anyone is watching this in Los Angeles, let it be known that you won't be getting a refund from this disgraceful outing.

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy - IN 18 Mike Magee, OUT 17 Tristan Bowen

Magee is back after sports hernia surgery.

68' - Another punchout from Gaudette. 

69' - Even Donovan seems a beaten character at this point, and I can't blame him.

70' - Substitution Puerto Rico Islanders - IN 21 Logan Emory, OUT 5 Noah Delgado

72' - Free kick for the Galaxy. Too low, and we can see why everybody here in Los Angeles hates Alan Gordon. He just doesn't have it.

74' - It's still 5-2 on aggregate, 1-1 here in Bayamon's Juan Roman Loubriel Stadium. Another fingertip save from Gaudette.

75' - Corner for the Galaxy, and with nine in the box, Los Angeles is unable to push players forward.

76' - Colin Clarke may have saved his job tonight.

77' - Offsides, Edson Buddle. Goal kick, Bill Gaudette.

78' - Another save from Gaudette, and another offsides on Buddle. He may not finish with 15, let alone 20 by season's end.

80' - Here is Alex Cazumba again, and Puerto Rico clears.

81' - If I am Arena right now, I may be wondering, "Hello hello hello, we're gonna get smoked by Real Madrid tonight."

82' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy - IN 6 Eddie Lewis, OUT 88 Alex Cazumba

Another great save from Bill Gaudette. Alan Gordon continues to underperform.

84' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 28 Sean Franklin
There's some consolation right there. Well done on the turn.

85' - Substitution Puerto Rico Islanders - IN 10 Kendall Jagdeosingh, OUT 7 David Foley

86' - Here comes a corner for Los Angeles. Too high. Are these numbskulls doing the lottery approach again? Mercy!

88' - Nice work from the Islanders midfielders. This is textbook. And the Galaxy can't seem to do well on the delivery.

89' - Offsides, Kendall Jagdeosingh. 

90' - Corner for Los Angeles. Great height from Osei Telesford. Gaudette with another grab.

90' + 1' - Five minutes of stoppage time. Magee is marked by David Horse. Gordon helps him back up. Very sportsmanlike.

90' + 2' - This should go rather quickly for the Islanders. And Omar Gonzales' shot was nowhere close to the net.

90' + 3' - The countdown continues for the home side. And Kendall Jagdeosingh may have pulled a muscle. But again, the Galaxy back line fail to deliver. 

90' + 4' - Another save for Gaudette. If Major League Soccer does not give Gaudette a second chance, then the league is just plain stupid.

90' + 5' - That is a wrap.


FINAL
LOS ANGELES GALAXY 2 Marco Velez 37' (Own Goal) Sean Franklin 84'
PUERTO RICO ISLANDERS 1 David Foley 34'
Puerto Rico wins 5-3 on aggregate
That's it! The Islanders are through. Stay tuned for my take on this match on The View and on Bleacher Report.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

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