Los Angeles Vs. New England: A Play-By-Play (And Other Miscellany)

T-180 minutes to kickoff: After seven months and six days since my last Play-By-Play (and other miscellany) on Bleacher Report...I return with a new one. This time, my Play-By-Plays will focus on the Los Angeles Galaxy, who open up their 2010 season tonight against the New England Revolution.

T-179: I hope to provide you with as much action as I can squeeze in from a word's-eye view here at the Home Depot Center. I have also decided to provide Play-By-Plays of a number of WPS matches, since I also write at-large for the WPS team here on b/r.

T-178: For those of you who already know, David Beckham is injured for just about the entire season and certainly the World Cup with a ruptured Achilles. I don't know if this is a sign that his playing days are certainly numbered or not, but my gut is telling me yes. Landon Donovan is still here though, and he will lead a group of players hungry for redemption after losing the MLS Cup last season to Real Salt Lake on penalties.

T-175: There is a large banner on the grass enclosure underneath the scoreboard known as "Lalas Hill," named after Mr. Alexi Lalas. "Our City, Our Home," a nod to a couple of lyrics from the Briggs' song, "This is L.A." On the concourses, fans on both sides chat about the young season, and the prospects of both their clubs.

T-170: We already witnessed the Philadelphia Union begin their inaugural year and the New York Red Bulls open the Red Bull Arena for business. This is the nightcapper.

T-120: Here are the lineups for both sides.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY
Manager: Bruce Arena
Formation: 4-1-3-2 (4-4-2 Diamond)
Colors: White tops with blue shoulders and gold accents, white shorts, white socks

1 Donovan Ricketts

28 Sean Franklin ---- 4 Omar Gonzalez ---- 22 Leonardo ---- 2 Todd Dunivant

8 Dema Kovalenko

17 Tristan Bowen ---- 19 Juninho ---- 6 Eddie Lewis

14 Edson Buddle ---- 10 Landon Donovan (C)

Substitutes:

12 Josh Saunders GK
20 A.J. De La Garza
88 Alex Cazumba
11 Chris Birchall MID
7 Chris Klein MID
26 Michael Stephens MID
17 Tristan Bowen FWD

The Galaxy return virtually the rest of their team, save for three players, the most notable being Stefano Miglioranzi. Incoming talent include Brazilians Leonardo, Juninho and Alex Cazumba, all on loan. Juninho, of San Jose do Campos and San Paulo FC, and Leonardo from Sao Paulo FC will start tonight. Look for Donovan and Buddle to benefit from the Brazilliance that will come from the defense and midfield.

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Manager: Steve Nicol
Formation: 4-4-2
Colors: Navy blue tops with red accents, navy blue shorts, navy blue socks

24 Preston Burpo

30 Kevin Alston ---- 12 Cory Gibbs (C) ---- 5 Emmanuel Osei --- 27 Seth Sinovic

14 Sainey Nyassi ---- 28 Pat Phelan ---- 23 Joseph Niouki ---- 8 Chris Tierney

11 Kheli Dube ---- 15 Zack Schilawski

Substitutes:

34 Bobby Shuttlerworth GK
25 Darrius Barnes DEF
7 Kenny Mansally MID
18 Khano Smith MID
19 Michael Videira MID
33 Zak Boggs FWD

The Revs, in comparison, come into the opener wounded. Starting goalkeeper Matt Reis is out with shoulder and knee surgery while Taylor Twellmen is recovering from head and neck injuries. The lineup still features Joseph, a finalist last year for MLS MVP. He will be a player to watch for NE. A rising star on the team is Dube, one of New England's SuperDraft picks from last season. Can this lineup of new faces hold their own tonight?

T-75: Goalkeepers going through preliminaries. The Galaxians arrived early. One of three major supporters groups, the Galaxians have been with the team since its inception. Angel City Brigade and the Los Angeles Riot Squad to follow.

T-74: Los Angeles's next three matches include an April 1 contest with Chivas USA (who lost to the Colorado Rapids 0-1 last night) to open the Honda SuperClassico, a road opener against the Houston Dynamo (who drew 1-1 with FC Dallas) and an April 17 MLS Cup rematch with Real Salt Lake (who defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 3-0).

T-71: New England's next three contests include an April 3 contest away to D.C. United (who are trailing Kansas City Wizards in the second half 2-0), an April 10 home opener with Toronto FC (who lost 2-0 to the Columbus Crew) and an April 17 match away to San Jose.

T-67: I personally do not expect the crowd to be a sellout, but it should be a good turnout nonetheless. I was lucky to have my credential, but I had to e-mail the media rep from the Galaxy about my page on b/r. If you haven't checked it out, please do so. It's a nice mix.

T-64: Grounds crew watering the pitch.

T-62: I am currently on an open spot in the lower portion of the press box. Looks like I will be doing the talking with my fingers from this point forward.

T-46: Oh yes, I want to give a shout-out to the crew from Pollo Campero. They saved my life tonight because I didn't eat lunch today, and I was on the verge of literally dying of starvation and a massive headache.

T-44: The Revolution go through their final warm-ups.

T-40: The Galaxy go through their final warm-ups to Owl City's "Fireflies."

T-39: More on Pollo Campero. They have a new concession stand in the stadium. I guess this is why they came up to cater to the press today.

T-38: Riot Squad unfurls a "Welcome Home, Landon" banner. Landon was on loan to Everton FC in the offseason before returning to the G's. Everton are currently sitting eighth on the table in the Barclays Premier League.

T-25: Half-capacity at best.

T-22: Terry Vaughn, ever so scrutinized and respected, will officiate tonight's match. The linesmen are Chris Strickland and Jason Cullum, and the fourth official is Ricardo Salazar.

T-18: The ACB taunting the Revs and Burpo on their spot kick runthroughs.

T-16: The fans will be expecting big things from the Brazillians on loan.

T-15: Warm-ups complete!

T-14: Crossover between AC/DC and Queen? Not bad. "We Will Rock You" meets "Back In Black." Oh, and there is an Everton FC banner near Section 138. Everton, by the way, beat the MLS All Stars on penalties last year in the All-Star Game. Ironic, eh?

T-13: The final countdown to kickoff begins with the Parade of Champions. Youth Sports...ah the thought of it all is what drives my project capstone at Keller Graduate School. I just hope I pass it!

T-11: Ooops, looks I see some fireworks laid out, ready to go off. This will be some great pageantry.

T-10: The Parade of Champions continues. AYSO chapter after AYSO chapter is called out. All these different chapters and teams called for a lap around the pitch. This is fruit of over a decade of the Galaxy making their impact.

T-8: I am listening to some techno by the band Fripside. "Level5~Judgelight." Somehow this all makes sense.

T-7: A large circular banner of the Galaxy's insignia enters the field.

T-5: The drummers are out in full force. The Brigade waving their banners and raising their pompoms. The reserve players arrive first.

T-4: Intergalactic by The Beastie Boys now playing.

T-3: Team introductions.

T-0: The players enter. National Anthem is performed by Savannah Robinson. And those fireworks go off. It's game time. Tifosi goes off in the ACB end, complete with streamers and a "Bruce Almighty" banner.

FIRST HALF KICKOFF: 8:08 PM

1' - And the new MLS season begins for the Galaxy. I am looking at this game on slight tape delay vis Justin.tv and live.

Galaxy with the ball, both teams jostling for position. Confetti going off, and Leonardo is looking to make an impact.

3 - The Revs will be happy to play defensively for now. Patience, says Steve Nicol. Offsides.

4' - Ricketts to take the goal kick. First big opportunity for the Galaxy cleared.

5' - Dunivant is getting some nice touches here. Set piece time. I grabbed two pieces of confetti. I'm calling for a 2-0 win for the Galaxy, but let's see what happens.

6' - GOAL! Los ANgeles Galaxy. 14 Edson Buddle Assist 10 Landon Donovan
The first goal of the season. No sooner had I called it  than Buddle opened his account. Clinical finishing inside the box. Buddle had five goals in 2009; perhaps this is the start of an improved year.

7' - Now the G's are pressing for a second. The Revolution are now on their heels. Nyassi trying to break the line. Foul on Pat Phelan. Vaughn advises caution.

8' - New England is now scrambling for the equalizer. The play opens up as the evidence of LARS's celebration can be seen in the southeast corner of the pitch.

9' - Galaxy reset, but a long pass to Eddie Lewis called back for offsides.

10' - Goal kick for Burpo...taken by Ricketts. Now here is Buddle with an entry pass, but he is intercepted by Seth Sinovic.

11' - Great ball-clearing ability by Dema Kovalenko.

12' - Here comes New England with an ambious shot by Chris Tierney but wide of the net.

13' - Foul on Leonardo. Here's Shalrie Joseph.

14' - Tierney draws the first corner of the day for NE. Cleared.

15'- Open space for LA, but Burpo gets to it first. The G's reset. Great marking by Cory Gibbs.

16' - LA! cry the ACB. GALAXY! cry the LARS. And repeat. And repeat. And repeat...

17' - Great coordination as both teams play the ball control war for this stretch.

18' - Foul on Alston. Yellow card. Set piece time.

Yellow Card - 30 Kevin Alston.

Donovan to take. No one in the neighborhood. Danger averted.

19' - Revs reset. Here is Alston again. A chance for Buddle falls into the hands of Preston Burpo.

20' - Schilawski couldn't get to that one. Goal kick for the Jamaican Big Cat from Kingston Town, Mr. Donovan Ricketts.

21' - Dunivant tries to get someone on the throw-in, but there is that Revolution defense.

22' - First shot from Pat Phelan was dangerous, but Ricketts get that one.

23' - From the looks of it, it seems Burpo is getting the lions' share of the work between the posts. A sliding clearance from Omar Gonzales.

24' - Header for Magee wide. Clutch in the MLS Cup, he shows that he hasn't missed much from last year.

25' - Another entry pass cleared by Phelan. Corner.

26' - Los Angeles Galaxy Substitution

IN 88 Alex Cazumba
OUT 6 Eddie Lewis

With Cazumba, Juninho and Leonardo on the field, Arena brings out the Brazilian big guns tonight. That shot just went over the net.

28' - Some of the passing leaves much to be desired here for both sides. After further review, those aren't pom-poms by the ACB; those are balloons. Mea culpa.

29' - This Upon further Review... brought to you by Justin.Tv and B/R. Throw-in for Dunivant.

30' - Vaughn asking for order. Cheeky, given that he called one in favor of the home side.

31' - LA has been earning the lions' share of the possession. Corner for the Galaxy won by Juninho.

32' - Didn't amount to much for Cazumba, but the attempt was valiant.

32' - ACB Boo birds are out for the foul on Buddle...and the apparent taunt by Alston.

33' - Whooops, I meant to say Cazumba. I said Zazumba. New nickname, maybe? Who knows.

34' - A big chance for Sainey Nyassi, cleared for a corner. Blocked, and here comes the transition. Great defense from Alston. The number 30 has been the savior for the Revs thus far...

35' - ...as well as Burpo, who keeps the deficit to a goal.

36' - Cazumba again, but he is forced to make the G's reset. Dunivant unable to make do of the pass from Leonardo.

37' - Cazumba, Leonardo and Juninho are bringing in the expected flair, but now they could use some finishing.

38' - Arena asks his men to head back. It works, and the G's regain possession. Cazumba continues to toy around with the New England defense.

41' - Yellow card - 23 Joseph Niouky
New England

This is trouble for the Revs. Two yellow cards for them. And a corner.

42' - Solid clearance from Cory Gibbs.

Less than three minutes and stoppage to halftime.

43' - A header by Magee called back due to offsides.

44' - Vaughn chooses to let the players play from this point forward.

45' - Kheli Dube hasn't been a factor this match. The Los Angeles Galaxy defense have neutralized him this half.

45' + 1' - One additional minute of time. Valiant last salvo from Lewis goes wide. And that's the half.

HALFTIME

Los Angeles Galaxy 1
Buddle 6'

New England Revoliution 0

Buddle has already tallied three shots, while the Galaxy limited the New England Revolution to one shot.

Shots

New England 1
Los Angeles 7

Fouls

New England 9
Los Angeles 5

Shots On Goal

New England 1
Los Angeles 1

Corner Kicks

New England 2
Los Angeles 3

Saves

New England 0
Los Angeles 1

Offsides

New England 1
Los Angeles 1

SECOND HALF START: 9:10 PM

46' - Here we go with the second half. The Revolution will be intent to get the equalizer. Taunts for Burpo by LARS as the ACB's Saturday Night Rhythm continues.

47' - The media guides are now on disc. A green initiative by MLS apparently; although the fact that they are on disc contradicts that.

48' - Sinovic sets things up for the Revs. Now it's Schilawski. Gonzales clears things up.

50' - Oooh, Alston got away with a clearance in the box. Vaughn chose not to add further humilation to the Revs yet.

51' - Now the frustration begins. Set piece for Kovalenko who takes it short. A long entry pass for Magee goes wide.

52' - Shutout promotion in effect. I can't see Ricketts getting too much trouble, but the Revs are ONLY down by one.

53' - Nicol feeling a bit squirmy on the sidelines. Oh man, Kheli Dube continues to feel like he is cursed inside the opponent's box. Bless his heart, that was a great opportunity.

54' - What a bullet dodged by LA. Now it's Gonzalez, who sets up the transition.

56' - Jeez Louise, it seems like everyone at the front is hitting them too high to the back of the seats tonight!

57' - Cory Gibbs, asking the guys to step it up. As they should. Here they go. Another shot by Dube goes wide. Ditch the chicken fans, we want to see some goals here!

58' - Substitution New England Revolution

IN 33 Zak Boggs
OUT 14 Sainey Nyassi

59' - Set piece for LA. Boy, let me ask you this: who would want to be Kheli Dube? No one on a night like this. Goes array.

60' - Vaughn again, letting the game plot its course. And the boo birds come out for Vaughn. I told you he was going to be scrutinized for this.

61' - LA! cry the ACB. GALAXY! cry the LARS. They do this during the 16th and 61st minutes, apparently.

62' - New England is coming out firing this half. Those adjustments almost made Kheli Dube the hero...although it can also be argued that he can't finish his way out of a wet paper bag.

63' - But that is a different story. Offsides on Schilawski. Revs get the ball, though. Buddle marked by Captain Gibbs on their next possession.

64' - All right, it looks like the Big Cat will need to be in the clutch tonight.

65' - Juninho with the foul, but the Revs can't get anything out of the free kick. Throw-in for NE. Arena looks on, cool and collected.

66' - Nothing doing from that entry pass, goal kick LA.

67' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy

IN Chris Birchall
OUT 18 Mike Magee

68' -  Ricketts was walking a tightrope clearing well outside of his box. Gets it off anyway.

69' - Gonzalez sends that to the seats. Offsides NE.

70' - Here come the G's. Offsides on the entry pass by BUddle. The boo birds come again.

71' - We have ourselves a possession battle marred by offsides upon offsides here in the 2nd half. Throw-in for Sean Franklin.

72' - Now it's Donovan. Revs are jamming the crosses. This is fantastic defending.

73' - Ease your temper, Kheli Dube...glad Vaughn didn't see the complaints or else he's booked for dissent.

74' - Leave it to Ricketts to reset things again for LA. Another foul on NE.

75' - We got ourselves 15 minutes and stoppage to go.

76' - Substitution New England Revolution

IN 7 Kenny Mansally
OUT 11 Kheli Dube

Nicol had to get his young ace out of trouble while he still could.

77' - Free kick for the Revolution cleared. New England, continuing to press.

78' - This has been some defensive feast. And Donovan and Buddle blunder in quick succession. Boy, that had to be a double cringle deluxe on the south end.

79' - What a save from Burpo. Buddle has gone after these guys like a redcoat madman from Great Britain.

80' - More boo birding after another goal kick is awarded to the Revs.

80' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy

IN 26 Michael Stephens
OUT 19 Juninho

Time for the SuperDraft selection to show what he can do with less that ten minutes to go.

81' - Tough love slap from Terry Vaughn on Edson. Heh. Such a gentleman. And here is a corner for LA. Donovan to take.

82' - Another save from Burpo. Holy friggen crap. Preston looks like he is filling Reis' shoes nicely.

83' - This New England defensive line has made the score that much respectable. Set piece by LA denied.

84' - For a ragtag lineup, they aren't too damn shabby on clampdown. Goal kick for Ricketts.

85' - Great attempt by Stephens. There will be more to come from him.

86' - Set piece for the Revolution. Cleared again. HEre's Donovan. He did too much on that one.

87' - That is something I do not get. He had the net in front of him; just strike it. No need to facilitate here when you got that much space in front of you.

89' - This gives New England some hope here.

Substitution New England Revolution

IN 18 Khano Smith
OUT 30 Chris Alston

90' + 1' - Two minutes of stoppage time.

90' + 2' - All hands on deck for this one. Galaxy will just be happy to settle for the 1-0 win here.

90' + 2' - And there it is!

FINAL

LOS ANGELES GALAXY 1
Edson Buddle 5'

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION 0