By Gary Richards
The Two G’s Radio Show

The very thought of these two household names, within MLS and U.S. soccer history, conjures up classic games. East coast versus West coast. Lakers vs. Knicks. Kings vs. Rangers. Now, Galaxy vs. Red Bulls. You name it in any sport, New York versus Los Angeles is ‘BIG’. So why, you ask, is this game different? Well The powers that be at MLS and U.S. Soccer headquarters, I guess, have differing opinions. There is no TV. Not even tape delay. Radio...Huh! You try to find it. This game and the whole enchilada, needs coverage.

Thank god for the fans. If this becomes a classic game (and it could!), only the fans passing it around the office, will make the difference. For the Galaxy, it is a must-win. A franchise built on success and now even more at stake as David Beckham needs to be on a winning team. The Galaxy needs to be a ‘winner’. When he arrives the team needs to be in all competitions and competing rigorously for trophies.

For the New York Red Bulls, a recent name change, a new coach, and an influx of talent from abroad. Yes, abroad. Juan Pablo Angel from Aston Villa of the EPL and also Claudio Reyna, the U.S. international who had a splendid career both in the English and Scottish top flight. They have arrived at a good time for New York along with Clint Mathis. Bruce Arena has instilled a terrific balance of youth, experience and knowledge. However, anything other than the progression into the later rounds of U.S. Open cup will be considered a massive failure. The fact that these two sides, even have to qualify at this stage, is unto itself an irony with massive implications.

An August heat wave has ascended upon Los Angeles. At kickoff, both coaches, not wanting the wrath of fans, media or owners, put out extremely strong sides.

Within two minutes the Galaxy made their intentions clear. A nice move down the left side saw Galaxy’s Anti Jazic, fouled, inches from being a penalty. The punch and counter punch, then took hold of the game. Steve Cronin, the Galaxy number two keeper, was called to stop the advance of Altidore. Illegally so, according to tonight’s ref. The New York number 17, then stepped up to take his own penalty kick. Poor as it was. Cronin saved!

With Landon Donovan on the Galaxy bench, Claudio Reyna began controlling the middle of the park for the Red Bulls. Still Robbie Findley found himself open on several occasions, just failing to hit the target. Clint Mathis began to show his class and on the 21st minute, he struck a shot low and hard across goal ending up wide of the far post. On the half hour, Hunter Freeman for New York had to be subbed out. A young player with a lot of speed and talent, finally succumbed to one of many tough challenges delt out by the Galaxy defense. Reyna’s shot in the 38th minute comfortably saved by Cronin, but it was a sign that the Red Bulls sensed a Galaxy weakness. Several long range shots then barraged the Galaxy goal and as half time approached New York’s Dave Van den Bergh crossed in from the left, and was sweetly met by a leaping Clint Mathis. A little to close to the keeper, but domination and possession were firmly in New York’s favor.

Some erratic refereeing in the 45th minute saw a yellow card handed to Nate Jaqua and a free kick awarded to New York on the edge of the Galaxy area. (To be honest it wasn’t a foul.) The placement was too close and was easily saved by Cronin.

The second half started brightly and in the 48th minute, Dane Richards was set free on the right. Similar to the penalty award in the first half, but this time, Cronin grasped the ball and not player. The game continued it’s fast pace, with chances going begging at either end. The game took a nasty turn in the 55th as Galaxy captain Cobi Jones received a straight red card. Galaxy subs immediately began warming up on the sidelines as L.A. head coach Frank Yallop, began strategizing the changes needed. Kyle Martino was introduced.

Red Bull fans would be relieved to see the introduction of their newest number 9. Juan Pablo Angel, in the 62nd minute. The Colombian sent on by Bruce Arena to put the weakened Galaxy out of there misery. Frank Yallop then countered in the 64th, with the introduction of Landon Donovan. The home crowd, not more than 10,774 seemed revitalized. I wish the game was!

A clear chance, self created by Galaxy #20 Robbie Findley, should have put the L.A. Galaxy ahead in the 65th. Jon Conway sprinted off his line and made a splendid save. With the Bulls down to ten men, the Donovan-led Galaxy seamed full of new hope and confidence. In the 73rd minute Red Bull midfielder Dema Kovalenko received his marching orders for a second bookable offense. With that, the Galaxy stretched its collective muscles and began pressing.

Jazik had the best chance to date, shooting just over the Red Bull crossbar. Juan Pablo Angel with his virtual first touch, headed from close range, but a point blank save by Steve Cronin spared L.A.’s blushes. Donovan then received the ball, scampered down the right. Cut inside the Red Bull left back and launched a blistering shot from outside the box that was only saved by the crossbar.

Both teams now down to ten, the game certainly woke up and was very entertaining. With eight minutes remaining the Galaxy pressed. New York failed to clear a corner and Peter Vagenas, who was unmarked, shot just wide from thirty yards out. Later, a right-footed free kick by Angel was easily dealt with by the Galaxy keeper.

In the 90th minute, the Red Bulls had a chance to steal the game when second half sub John Wolyniec produced a fire cracker of a shot. Only equaled by the spectacular save by Steve Cronin in the Galaxy goal. A deputy for the rested Joe Cannon, Cronin produced a man of the match performance. Three minutes of stoppage time couldn’t produce a result. Extra time beckoned.

The Galaxy started the brighter of the two in extra time. Two minutes in, Peter Vagenas was taken down in the box, resulting in a successful Landon Donovan penalty kick.

The game certainly not over, Kyle Martino had the chance to seal a Galaxy win in the 8th minute of the first extra period, but great steadiness and poise by Jon Conway in the NY goal prevented such. To be honest the LA squad looked at this stage of the proceedings to be the fitter of the two sides. In the 103rd minute a spectacular cross by Santino Quaranta found a diving Kyle Martino. The ball sent powerfully into the roof of the New York net to make it 2-nil! Galaxy now firmly in control, they slowed the pace of the game, to suit them. Bruce Arena sat quietly on the bench.

Fifteen minutes left to save the tie. How would his team rebound, after going two goals behind? Possession switched to the LA end. New York was not finished. With the Galaxy defending heavily, a poor challenge gave the Red Bulls a chance to pull one back. The left edge of the ‘D’, Juan Pablo Angel stepped up and hammered home, giving Cronin no chance. It was low and to the far corner, and was perfectly placed.

Then at the other end, Landon was free on the right, unselfishly slipped the ball to Martino who missed the open goal. Back the other way, Todd Dunivant’s shot was brilliantly saved by Cronin once again. The rebound fell to Angel, but Cronin was up and quick enough to prevent the equalizer.

Two minutes to play, the kitchen sink was thrown forward by Bruce Arena, in the attempt to tie this one up. A last cross to Angel, who was sniffing around the right hand goal post, a poor header, which I’m sure he’d like back. The ball once again breaks free to Mr. Landon Donovan. Red Bull players clearly tired and struggling to keep up. The ball placed perfectly in front of Santino Quaranta. Who seals the tie for Los Angeles. For New York, a game well-fought. Clearly for me, the man of the match, has to be Steve Cronin the Galaxy keeper. If not for him, New York are the ones heading to the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16.