Los Angeles Galaxy: Ins and Outs, December 1, 2011

Taking the cut

It seems event organizers for the match between Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy and the Philippines National Team have decided to make things easier for fans.

Originally set at a price from P2,060 to P15,965, the ticket prices have been reduced by 35 percent so that more fans will be able to attend the match.

“Ticket sales spiked since Monday. We're expecting about 80% capacity on Saturday,” said promoter Jinx Macabenta.

Rizal Memorial Stadium seats just under 13,000 for association football matches but can be expanded to accomodate 30,000 spectators.

However, according to Virgil B. Lopez of Sun Star Manila, P10 million worth of tickets have not been sold yet as of Wednesday, but that is expected to change, given the number of sponsors who have been able to drive the price down.

Tough match on the horizon for Galaxy

The Azkals are looking to give Los Angeles a stern test on Saturday at Rizal. Ace scorer Phil Younghusband is certain that the club will be composed to do their part of the work.

"When you're in the game, your concentrating on the ball and the players around you. During the game, I don't think any of us will be awed," Younghusband told ABS-CBN News.

One player that will not be taking part in the contest is team captain Aly Borromeo, who is nursing a knee injury.

“It's heartbreaking not to be out on the pitch with my team. I grew up watching the Galaxy in college in the US,” Borromeo told reporters.

In spite of the injury to their co-captain, the Azkals press on.

"I think it’s important we concentrate on our own game," Younghusband told Jasmine W. Payo of the Phillipine Daily Inquirer. "Obviously, LA Galaxy have players of a high standard so we have to play more defensively when you’re playing against such strong attacking players.”

As for midfielder David Beckham, the hope will be that it will be business as usual for the guests of honor.

“We expect the game to be exactly the same [as the match against the Indonesian Select XI]," Beckham said. "We know there are talented players here, so we expect a difficult game.

"We always try to play diplomatic football, but that doesn’t always happen. We want to win the game no matter if it’s a friendly.”