An Evening with the LA Galaxy

The last time I went to go see the LA Galaxy play was against the San Jose Earthquakes on Friday, August 20, 2021. This clash between the two teams is known as the California Clasico. The rivalry has been around since the league began in 1996, and it is probably the most hated team by the Galaxy fan base.

Unfortunately for me, the Galaxy lost 1-2 that evening, but it was a very fun game to check out anyway. It’s always fun to go to a Galaxy game, win or lose. That evening it was a bit frustrating because the team just didn’t show any promises that it was a better team than San Jose.

See, the LA Galaxy is trying to rebuild from a disastrous season last year, and it still shows many weaknesses despite the fact that the team is in a playoff position in the MLS Western Conference so far in the season. The team pretty much got a new coach with a whole new offense. The defense was not fortified as much, which is the more frustrating part about the Angeleno team. Anyway…

The game started a bit slow. Both teams attacked right off the bat with the Galaxy having more possession. The first half ended in a 0-0 tie, so it was all good for the local crowd at that point. The Angeleno team did get lucky a few times in the first half because it looked like the team got away with at least two penalties. The ref decided to let them go and did not even review the plays with VR (video review). San Jose was a bit infuriated at ref for having a blind eye with what could have been at least two penalties for them.

In the second half, the San Jose Earthquakes took the lead in the 52nd minute. It came from a beautiful cross and the header into the goal was delivered by Jeremy Ebobisse.

Things got heated up when the Galaxy tied the game with a pretty lucky goal by midfielder Victor Vazquez in the 65th minute. It was lucky in the sense that it came from what is called a gol Olimpico. Basically, an Olympic goal is scored from the corner kick position, which is quite difficult to do. Vazquez was subbed into the game a few minutes earlier.

The tie only lasted six minutes, because an own goal was scored by Galaxy defender Niko Hamalainen in the 71st minute. The Earthquakes took the lead and held it to the end of the game. Their attacks were slightly less, but they seemed a bit more threatening. The Galaxy blew way too many opportunities to tie or win the game, which has been a persistent problem for the Angeleno offense.

The game was upsetting, but the atmosphere inside the Dignity Health Park stadium was great. The cheering and chants filled the air all night. Like I said, win or lose, an evening at a Galaxy game is always fun. One character that keeps the local and visiting fans is Cozmo, the LA Galaxy mascot.

The story behind Cozmo, according to the Galaxy, is that he is an alien who came to try out for the team. Since the league only allows humans to play, disqualifying him from playing, Cozmo was given a job as the mascot. Cozmo took the job and does a hell of a good job at it!

After the loss, the LA Galaxy was scolded by the fans in Facebook groups, but the fans are still loyal. I have been a fan of the team since the very beginning. I went to the very first game ever in 1996 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The Galaxy played the New York Metro Stars, now known as the New York Red Bulls, and won 2-1.

It was huge for me since I waited so long for a professional soccer league to start in the United States. It was quite an awesome memory. Too bad, the game last Friday against San Jose did not have the same outcome as that first game vs. the Metro Stars. Still, I will remain an LA Galaxy fan until I die. That’s right! Win, lose, or tie, LA Galaxy fan ‘til I die!

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by Bazooka Teaches