The names Los Angeles and New York have plenty of cache in them alone and within MLS, the Galaxy and Red Bulls have plenty of stars so whenever the two teams square off, it is a big-time match for the league. Well, if MLS was looking for a match to show off they picked the right one because the first 45 minutes between the Galaxy and Red Bulls are about as entertaining as any 45 minutes you will see in soccer. The two teams have had great chances, fantastic passes, stunning saves and one of the more amazing defensive plays anyone will see in a match that cannot be described as anything else than thrilling. Luckily for those in attendance and tuning in on TV, with the match tied at 1-1 they are primed to see more of it in the second half.
LA Galaxy Vs. New York Red Bulls: Marquee Teams Put On First Half Show
Things started early for New York as Thierry Henry got them on the scoreboard just four minutes in. The Galaxy gave Dane Richards space 30 yards from goal and he spotted Henry making a good diagonal run. Richards slid the ball into Henry, who rounded the keeper and put the ball in the net for an early Red Bulls goal.
The goal didn't slow things up. In fact, the match only picked up in intensity after the goal. The Galaxy pushed and pushed the Red Bulls and it looked like it paid off when Juan Pablo Angel nodded one past Coundoul only for it to be disallowed because the lineman correctly ruled him offside. Landon Donovan had two good chances to put the Galaxy ahead, but missed the frame once and put the shot right at the keeper the other time.
New York had a couple chances of their own, but Donovan Ricketts made a good save on Richards and another shot slid just inches wide of the goal. With New York playing without a true defensive midfielder and Los Angeles getting sensational passing from David Beckham, there was plenty of back and forth opportunities for both teams.
After several good chances, Los Angeles finally got their goal in the 41st minute. A Beckham corner kick found Landon Donovan, who rose and headed the ball past Coundoul for the equalizer. It is rare that Donovan wins headers in traffic, but Roy Miller's strange and inexplicable decision to not jump surely made things easier.
Just before halftime it looked like Donovan would get his second goal when Beckham played him in. Donovan had the ball and had gotten past Coundoul so he had just the open goal in front of him, which he slowly nudged the ball towards. Tim Ream was hustling back though and in a full sprint slid at the goal line, kicking the ball off of the line and away to deny the goal in one of the more spectacular plays a defender could make.
After 45 minutes the two teams are right where they started. It’s all even, but it wasn’t for nothing. It was some of the most entertaining 45 minutes anyone could see and the second half could just be more of the same.
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