Real Madrid Gives Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 Pat on Shoulder

Real Madrid put on an average display for the full 90 minutes. Even though Los Blancos played as advertised in the second half, it was a wasteful first half combined with Cristiano Ronaldo running on kryptonite that reduced what could have been a kick in the family jewels into a sympathetic pat on the shoulder from the Special One [sic] the world calls Jose Mourinho.

As if Mourinho's really the special one; he's just a manager with his own brand of football that helped his old club win the UEFA Champions League. Not even six goals were scored, let alone a 6-0 rout.

Instead, it went more along the lines of: all right Los Angeles, I know you have been struggling, but we need to make our millionaires look like they are worth their money PLUS we need to give the meat in the seats what they want.

We understand that you have been rusty, so we'll go out of our way and let up. You know how it is. So here's what we'll do: we'll take three goals in the second with our first string, you take two goals in the first with yours. Deal?

Sadly, the Galaxy said "Si," fell for the five-goal sucker deal and made a game of it. No offense to Bruce Arena and his men for coming out with major intensity in the first half (they won every right to make this respectable as they see it to be), but if they want to win this game, why do you bring in the second string and let Real give you the sympathetic pat on the shoulder? Asinine.

“For this trip, everything was perfect," Mourinho said after the game. "We trained well, we trained hard, the players were together 24 hours and the environment was perfect for them to grow as a group.

"Tactically we cannot be perfect, very far from it, but I can see some principles in training sessions and they are growing step by step, so it was perfect.”

Indeed. A perfectly sympathetic pat on the shoulder from the Special One [sic].

But Gregg Berhalter was one to acknowledge that it was just a fan-pandering festival at the best.

“I wouldn’t look too much into this game," Berhalter said after the match. "It is not an easy game to win. If you look at the quality and to have them have 11 fresh players to start the second half they obviously have the depth and they are the better team. They won that game.

"Our focus now is getting back on track in the league and that is what our goal is.”

But aside from Jose disappointing me in the "No Way!" sense with this scoreline (back across the pond with your overpaid ilk where you rightfully belong, you not-so-special sympathetic one), there were a couple other nuances that I had trouble coming to terms with.

What happened to Ronaldo? He disappointed, without a doubt. Sure he had some touches worthy of the flashbulbs, but where was the finishing?

This had the makings of 4-2 or 5-2; heck, even 6-2. Though he had an assist on the Gonzalo Higuain goal early in the second half, it was still a disappointing display and the fans deserved better.

At least score one, Cris! Don't tell me that you're suffering from post-World Cup fever like Landon and Edson are. Sigh. Misery loves company. You're better than this. Snap out of it when La Liga begins, chop chop.

Secondly, did Royston Ricky Drenthe watch a little too much of the action in the Octagon and issued out his inner Royston Gracie? Drenthe is lucky this is a friendly, because he knows that in Spain, the red will come out automatically.

Really, Royston. This is a football pitch, not the UFC Octagon. Seriously, I think that kick to Juninho could send the likes of BJ Penn into retirement if it hit his face hard enough. Or maybe he will intercept it in time to counter with his signature moves; who knows.

Alex Prus should have sent him off, regardless of whether this was a friendly or not. That's arse-kissing to the haves and thumbing the nose at the have-nots for you. As if we didn't see that coming...

So now the Galaxy have nothing to play for except a plate on a pedestal we like to call the Major League Soccer Supporters' Shield and another one in the shape of a cup we call the Philip J. Anschutz Trophy.

This brings up a very important question.

Bruce Arena, sir, the locals are getting very restless about the Los Angeles Galaxy lack of form. Could you do your blue and gold constituents a favor and win for once please, starting on the road against New York at the vaunted Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.?

Edson Buddle knows too well about the situation at hand.

“It’s a massive game," he said after the match. "This is what the league has always wanted, a strong LA team and a strong New York team. For us, it has been a little bit of a rough stretch lately, so we want to get back to what we are good at doing.

"Tonight was a good start. In the first half we were really organized and played well. Now, with Marquez, Henry, and Pablo, it is going to be a lot of fun. A new stadium there in New York, it is going to be a great game.”

Stay tuned.