Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, August 4, 2011

Galaxy still smarting from road loss to Portland

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy made no effort to hide their frustrations in what could arguably be their worst effort of the season, a 3-0 defeat to the Portland Timbers.

“We were dominated in the first half and it was the story of the game,” Arena told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. “I don't think we made adjustments for the size of the field and the surface, and we were really outplayed in every position on the field. We were dominated, we were beat. I don't think there's anything sophisticated about the analysis of this game. We were beat all over the field."

“They looked like a good team. At the end of the day, they looked like a team that was passionate about winning,” Galaxy midfielder David Beckham said. “They want to win in front of their own fans and they did them proud tonight and the fans did the team proud because it's a good atmosphere to play in.

“The first half is what killed us. We were outworked, outplayed, out-hustled, and for a team as good as us, that should never happen.”

Before the match, Portland hadn't won at Jeld-Wen Field since May 21.

“We made it hard on ourselves,” Beckham added. “We knew they were going to come to play and this would be the biggest game they played all year and we weren't ready for it. If you're not ready to play in this league, you'll get beat.

“I'm surprised at the way we played, but if you perform like that, you deserve to lose like that. We go home a little bit embarrassed because of the result, but at the end of the day, it's the first game we've lost in three months. We've been on a good run, [but it] had to end somewhere.”


Landon called for USA vs. Mexico friendly

As if things hadn't been bad enough for the Galaxy, Landon Donovan was called up to the USA Men's National Team for an August 10 friendly against an opposition that has been a thorn in the Stars and Stripes' side for a few years: Mexico.

“One of the goals of the roster for this game and moving forward is to create competition at each position,” manager Jurgen Klinsmann said, according to MLSSoccer.com. “There are many players who are established as well as many players who will get opportunities, and we want there to be a healthy contest for spots on the roster.

"We will get a good look at where each player is as quickly as we can during the short time in camp, and we will finish with an exciting game against Mexico.”

This is the lineup of players, as selected by Klinsmann.

Goalkeepers (2): Bill Hamid (D.C.United), Tim Howard (Everton/England)

Defenders (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne/France), Edgar Castillo (Club América/Mexico), Timmy Chandler (FC Nürnberg/Germany), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96/Germany), Clarence Goodson (Brøndby/Denmark), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis/Mexico), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls)

Midfielders (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach/Germany), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt/Germany), Maurice Edu (Rangers/Scotland), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04/Germany), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca)

Forwards (5): Freddy Adu (Benfica/Portugal), Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla/Mexico), Edson Buddle (FC Ingolstadt/Germany), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)

Kickoff at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will be televised by ESPN2 and Univisión.