Galaxy Wilts on Defense This Time
For much of the Galaxy’s season, its lack of offense has been the focal point for criticism of the defending Major League Soccer champion.
Its first two games at Peace Cup Korea 2003 did nothing to alter the perception because both ended in 0-0 ties against Nacional of Paraguay and 1860 Munich of Germany.
Needing a victory Sunday to advance to the tournament championship, it was the Galaxy’s defense that finally slipped up, leading to a 4-1 rout by Dutch champion PSV Eindhoven at Suwon, South Korea.
The loss sends the Galaxy home today for a much-needed break before its next MLS game against Columbus at the Home Depot Center on July 30. The team won’t practice again until next Monday.
“As tired as we are right now and disappointed that we didn’t go through, I think that this entire trip ... will serve us well in the future as we try to defend our championship,” Galaxy defender Alexi Lalas said.
But what about the week off?
“As much as I love these guys, I am going to take the time and don’t want to see any of them,” Lalas said.
Ditto for everyone, no doubt.
It didn’t take the Galaxy long Sunday to dig a huge hole, giving up goals to Eindhoven’s Ji Sung Park and Jan Venngoor Hesselink in the first five minutes.
Hesselink’s goal came on a shot that deflected off Lalas and left goalkeeper Kevin Hartman without a chance.
Alex Pineda Chacon kept the Galaxy from going scoreless in the tournament with a 15th-minute goal on a shot from the middle of the box after being set up by Chris Albright and Ryan Suarez.
But Eindhoven ended any hopes of a comeback when John de Jong scored on a breakaway in the 55th minute and Young Pyo Lee scored in the 79th minute.
Eindhoven will play Olympique Lyon of France on Tuesday for the championship and $2-million prize.
Ronaldinho Saga
Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho’s transfer to Barcelona from Paris Saint-Germain proved again that public comments by those involved can rarely be trusted until a deal is actually struck.
Manchester United went from being the “only” team for Ronaldinho and one he said he looked forward to playing for -- at least according to his agent and brother, Roberto Assis -- to one that simply lost out on his services.
Barcelona President Joan Laporta had even expressed concern that “this is getting to be an auction and we will not get involved in that.”
The comments had come after Manchester United offered a reported $33.5 million. Ronaldinho transferred to Barcelona on Saturday for $33.6 million.
On Sunday, Ronaldinho passed his physical to complete the transfer. When asked why he had snubbed Manchester United, Ronaldinho played it straight, saying, “Barcelona has everything that a player could want or be looking for.”
Manchester United Coach Sir Alex Ferguson, whose team will begin a four-city U.S. tour Tuesday at Seattle against Glasgow Celtic, tried to shrug off missing out on the speedy playmaker.
“It got to the point where we had to ask, ‘Do you want to play for us or not?’ ” Ferguson said.
Quick Passes
Katie Barnes scored in the 61st minute to give the San Jose CyberRays (6-8-2) a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Charge (3-10-4) in front of 5,243 at San Jose in a Women’s United Soccer Assn. game Sunday.... Dutch striker Dennis Bergkamp signed a one-year deal to stay with Arsenal of the English Premier League after his contract expired at the end of last season. Bergkamp, 34, has been with Arsenal since 1995.... New Liverpool striker Harry Kewell of Australia will not play during the club’s preseason tour to Asia because of an ankle injury he suffered Saturday.
Times wire services contributed to this report.
