Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo: 6 Things We Learned

This May has nothing short of a month of horrors for Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, who have no defense, have a lackluster offense and have another loss to their ever-putrid ledger.

On Saturday afternoon, the Galaxy stunk it up once more and suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Tex.

Here are six things we learned from Saturday's defeat.

1. Frustration Gets the Better of Los Angeles...again.

When you can't perform, you lose games. When you lose games, you lose games often.

When you lose games often, frustration creeps in. When frustration creeps in, you simply can't perform.

And when you simply can't perform, you are playing like the Los Angeles Galaxy. Don't play like the Los Angeles Galaxy.

All DIRECTV joking aside, the Galaxy's frustrations with the way they have performed this year took its toll, highlighted by a foolish yellow card to Mike Magee late in the match. Magee was also responsible for the own goal that came off the Brian Ching volley in the first half.

2. Set Piece Disasterpiece for Galaxy

A clear-cut reason why Los Angeles lost is the inability to defend set pieces.

Andre Hainault's goal in the 57th minute came off a crisp set piece from Brad Davis, who was the Dynamo's top provider last year. The ball was placed perfectly and Hainault made no mistake in heading it home past traffic.

3. Midfield Issues Force Kenny Walker's Start

It hasn't just been set-piece defending or the lack of a competent back line that has been plaguing the Galaxy. They don't have a consistent midfield, and that's due in part to the absence of Juninho, who did not start.

Thus, it was up to Kenny Walker to step up to the plate.

In 45 minutes of action, he held his own and was not out of position. It was a good day out for Walker, but this rookie was subbed at halftime in favor of the more experienced Michael Stephens.

4. David Beckham Gives Hosts a Scare

The only legit player on the Galaxy that could actually hold his own, if in the diminutive, on Saturday was David Beckham. In the 10th minute, he orchestrated a sequence that involved Chad Barrett and resulted in a goal for Edson Buddle, his second of the season.

5. Houston Dominate the Stat Sheet, as Expected

In the Bold Predictions posted earlier this week, the Houston Dynamo were expected to dominate the stats against an understrength and underprepared Los Angeles Galaxy team.

And indeed they did, dominating possession (60.3 percent to 39.7 percent), passing accuracy (84 percent to 72 percent), duels won (53 percent to 46 percent), open play crosses, (13 to nine) and shots on goal (10 to six).

6. Oh Carolina, Are You Watching This?

If you are an opponent of the Galaxy, you can expect to score on them. If you don't get to them early, you will certainly get to them late.

As seen with the past slate of results, the Carolina RailHawks of the NASL have a golden opportunity to help add the finishing touch to a month of futility for the Los Angeles Galaxy in U.S. Open Cup play.

A preview of this match will be posted later next week on Bleacher Report and the View from Victoria Street.