Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, September 22, 2011

Youth Academy Update

The Los Angeles Galaxy Youth Academy were in action this past week for a series of matches.

On Saturday, Sept. 17, the Galaxy U-12's defeated Pateadores 1-0 thanks to Jake Mitch. The U-12's then destroyed the South Bay Force 7-1 thanks to five goals from Salvador Segura.

Ian Lonergan and Jesus Nunez also scored for the U-13's. The U-14's demolished Legends FC 6-0 thanks to goals from Fernando Robledo, Dylan Bielanski, Kousuke Ide, Andrew Sady Kennedy, Rapha Diago and Sebastian Navarez.

A couple of matches awaited the Under-15s. On Saturday, the Galaxy shut down the force 6-2 thanks to braces from Coliin Hossum and Juan Orozco, as well as goals from Milano Sanchez-Johnson and Rolando Munoz. Alejandro Vergara Jr. recorded four assists.

On Sunday, Sept. 18, the U-15's rolled past CZ Elite 4-1. Hossum scored another brace to go with goals from Munoz and Vergara.

The Under-16s, who had a banner year last season, opened their 2011-12 campaign against the De Anza Force and fought to a 4-4 draw. Justin Dhillon opened the scoring before Jaime Villareal recorded a hat trick to preserve the draw. On Sunday, the Young G's shut out the Santa Cruz Breakers 2-0 thanks to goals from Steve Martinez and Villareal.

The Under-18s opened their season with a 1-0 win over the Force. Jack McBean, who plays on the Galaxy first team as a Home Grown Player, delivered the game winner in the 63rd minute of play. The Galaxy Under-18s then proceeded to smash the Breakers 5-1 thanks to a brace from Raul Mendiola and goals from McBean, Pedro Velasquez and Jose Villareal.

Upcoming matches for the Academy sides are as follows.

LA Galaxy U-12’s at South Bay Force                    
Saturday, September 24                      
Game will be played at El Segundo High School in El Segundo starting at 2:55 p.m.

LA Galaxy U-13’s at FC Golden State Academy      
Saturday, September 24
Game will be played at Veterans Sports Park in Pomona starting at 2 p.m.

LA Galaxy U-14’s at Beach FC                            
Saturday, September 24
Game will be played at Aviation Park in Manhattan Beach starting at 8 a.m.

LA Galaxy U-14’s vs. CZ Elite                                
Sunday, September 25                        
Game will be played at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach starting at 12:20 p.m.

The LA Galaxy U-15's, U-16's and U-18's are off this week.

Galaxy have no one but themselves to blame against Alajuelense

The fingers were being pointed after the Los Angeles Galaxy first team put on another disastrous performance in their 1-0 shutout defeat to Liga Deportiva Alajuelense in the CONCACAF Champions League.

“That atmosphere was insane,” Galaxy midfielder Mike Magee told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. “The field was bumpy and not ideal, but we didn’t create any chances. You can’t win games if you don’t create chances.”

Alajuelense won thanks to a well-placed set piece from Pablo Antonio Gabas that easily made goalkeeper Josh Saunders look like a below-average keeper in USL PRO.

“Their goal was a great goal,” Galaxy midfielder David Beckham said. “Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say you were beaten by a team that performed better on the night and scored a great goal.”

“[The atmosphere is] something that we kind of thrive on as a pro,” defender A.J. DeLaGarza said. “We like to play in front of venues like this. The crowd was loud. You could barely hear the person next to you. It was a great atmosphere. This is where we should shine.”

Nonetheless, Magee and Galaxy captain Landon Donovan were quick to give where credit was due.

“The crowd was amazing,” Magee said. “They were loud, they were cheering. They definitely helped them out by getting on the refs. A couple of times I don’t think the ref knew anything of the calls.”

“This field is tough,” Donovan said. “You’ve got to give them credit because they know how to play on this field and we were a little naïve in the way we played.”

Los Angeles have two matches remaining in group play: against Monarcas Morelia on Sept. 28 and against C.D. Motagua in October.

“It looks like almost all the home teams have won,” DeLaGarza added. “We have to do that again with Morelia and get a result in Motagua. We control our own destiny.”

Los Angeles' next game is in league action when they take on the Columbus Crew. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24 at 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Sports West.