Real Madrid vs Galaxy, July 18

Jun 28, 2005 soccer personal suggest edit

Wohoo! The little lady and myself will be in attendance as we watch Zinedine Zidane, Beckham, Ronaldo, Owen, Roberto Carlos and the rest of Real Madrid completely overpower and dismantle the lackluster Galaxy when they play an exhibition game at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

It’ll be interesting to see if Landon Donovan can scrape together a worthy performance in the face of such talent and show that he’s ready for the world stage.

I remember when living in Madrid, Spain just how revered Real Madrid is. They are a storied team with a rich history and a fantastic roster this year. Of course, too much star power can sometimes be a detriment, as we learned with the lakers last year, and as we saw this year as second place Real Madrid were upstaged by Barcelona for the Spanish League title.

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Comments

51 responses

Greg • June 28th, 2005
Landon Donovan is not ready for the world stage, nor will he ever be, because he suffers from extreme homesickness outside of the U.S. While watching him play last season in the Bundesliga, I was disturbed to see how below average he looked against the rest of the German first division. In some ways I thik he set the American soccer cause back another generation, because the German commentators kept making an example of him by saving, "look, here's the best America has to offer!" Perhaps he'll play better in Carson.

Regarding Real Madrid, they are the Los Angeles Dodgers/Lakers of soccer: despite having all that talent and spending all that money, they disappoint because they don't play together as a team. Kobe and Shaq aren't the only two athletes that can't perform when they try to steal the show from the other one. However, Spanish First Division stars should beat a team that, if lucky, can be compared to any European mediocre second division team. "Hey, paella man! Hook Phil up!"
haacked • June 28th, 2005
Mmmm... Paella

Guess we'll just have to wait a few years till Freddy Adu matures.
Krellan • July 4th, 2005
Nice!!

I saw the Galaxy vs. Quakes game up here in San Jose.

I still think Landon Donovan is hot....

About MLS: I think that MLS is doing a great job, filling the same role as minor league baseball does in that sport. Giving players a career path to play as professionals, keeping alive interest in the game, and getting players trained up for where it counts: the international games and the World Cup!

I'm very glad the US is becoming a contender in recent World Cup years. And the fan base is starting to come out. In 2002, I watched a game at something like 4 in the morning, at Britannia Arms in San Jose, and the place was so packed I couldn't get in the door! That's amazing. We'll win it all someday....
jb • July 4th, 2005
Lets first see who shows up for the Real Madrid. They always say that they are bringing the big dogs so as to promote a sellout and then they show up with only the backups. As if things were not bad enough for the Galaxy, they may be without Landon. I saw the Galaxy last night without him because of a team USA comittment and they looked aweful. It will be stupid for them to play the R.M. without their top squad. What a waste.
haacked • July 4th, 2005
I was at that game too! The most exciting part was getting the wave to go around the stadium a few times and the goal by the rookie. Other than that, a lackluster performance.
futbolfreak • July 5th, 2005
I was at euro cup last year and saw all of europes top talent with their respective national teams, the USA will never compare as donovan sucks and cant play with real players and freddy adu will never mature to the player we all hope he will be as he doesnt even start for his freaking MLS club. what a pity....the fan base here is growing and that is good, but our game just doesnt compare to europe or south america....too bad for all us futbol fans here in the states-we have to go to europe to watch quality games
Allyn • July 6th, 2005
I will be at the 7/18 game and I expect to see the stars from Spain show up and make a match of it. Zidane, Beckham, Owens, Figo, Carlos and Raul I ahve watched over the years and each has special skills worth viewing in person. Anything less than the complete package will be a great disappointment, to sya the least.
Someone • July 7th, 2005
futbolfreak - I couldn't agree more!

It will be fun watching Ronaldo, Owen and Zidane playing, I don't know about figo though!

Ps: I think we all know but just wanna say outloud that Freddy Adu is just like the Nigeria sub-20 players. HE'S AT LEAST 19 - LOL good player though.
conchis • July 7th, 2005
stumbled upon your blog whilst doing a search for info on this game. just picked up my tix.

hope all's well.

=)
haacked • July 8th, 2005
Hey Jordan! Long time no see. Yeah, I'm doing real well. We should catch up sometime.
dementiano • July 9th, 2005
i really do not think Real is going to play with their starting line-up. My prediction is the following: Beckham (b/c he needs to promote his soccer camp), Raul (nothing else to do), Owen (he needs the US exposure), Zidane (he's getting old and looking more undisirable), and Solari.

I doubt Ronaldo is going to play b/c of his desire of over-extended holidays and Roberto Carlos ALWAYS flakes on these types of games. In fact, it's interesting to note that Ronaldo and R. Carlos didn't play in the match against UNAM Pumas in Madrid. It's very unlikely for the pair to play against the Galaxy. Also, forget about Figo...with the talks going on of him being traded to Liverpool, last thing he needs is an injury from playing a silly game.

All in all, I will be going to the game, and it would be nice to see at least Beckham, Owen and Raul play. I will be extremely happy if R. Carlos plays, but I'm not holding my breath!
Vince • July 9th, 2005
I, also will be at the 7/18 game. Man, tickets were pretty expensive. But anyway, I can't wait til I see the Galacticos beat down on the Galaxy!

But who knows, I mean there might be an unexpected fall from Real Madrid and the Galaxy might pull up with a tie or even a win.

I'm only 12 and I've been a Real and Zidane fan for life. This is the first time I've got to come to one of his games. When I used to live in Paris, I never got tickets for him. I am very very excited for the match and I hope to see a good match and a good Zinedine Zidane.
oscar burns • July 10th, 2005
I've watched mls highlights for the past two years and the best players i've seen don't even play for the L. A. Galaxy. I mean Landon's good, but only because he's playing with rookies and soccer players that are crap in his league. Koby is okay, but he's mostly good at like set plays and can't do much himself. Hartman is a great goalie and i think he'll make a couple good saves, but i think he's too used to these feeble shots mls has to offer and when he takes on a shot from like beckham or owen, he's screwed. The best mls has too offer is goalie's. Even with the mls all star team, i think they still will get pummeled

I wish the Galaxy luck, but even if they had all the luck in the world they will still lose.
nas • July 11th, 2005
It's not just donovan it's the whole MLS that couldn't handle the World stage!
Yung • July 13th, 2005
im soo excited!!...i had to fight for my tickets!! i went to Manchester United games two years ago when they were touring in the U.S. it was alotta FUN. 7/18 will be GREAT!...

PS. does any1 know if theres an autograph session after the game?! email me @ soccer_chick_rocks07@hotmail.com
my boss just... • July 14th, 2005
I know nothing about Soccer & my boss just gave me 4 field seats! I get to keep the directors chairs.. we each get wrist bands to meet the team & get a signed Soccer ball from Beckham.. how cool is that.. you can send all hate mail to rugbyratt@gmail.com!!
soccersyco • July 14th, 2005
I think the way most of you guys try to portray landon donovan and the rest of the mls shows your ignorance about the sport of soccer. Now im not saying that the mls is nearly as good as any top european league but it has made several positive strides since its inception 10 years ago and will only continue to improve with young talent.

And for God sakes, Landon is still young and is still developing. He needs to gain more consistency but is still a helluva player who has shown success on the international level.

The fact is the US was one goal away from beating Germany and playing in the semi finals of the last world cup and is only getting better. So all the US players cant be as bad as you make them out to be. Watch out for Freddy Adu and Eddie Johnson next world cup. They will be a force for years to come.
Ramon • July 14th, 2005
I guess "FOOTBALL" knowledge is in short supply here. For the love of god stop calling it soccer.

You will get to see all the madrid stars play together in both matches (Chicago and LA). That is always the case on tour but they will only play 45-60 minutes and then you get the reserves which is normal as it is the pre-season!

Now I know that ESPN deportes will show the Chicago match. Does anyone know which TV station in the US will show the LA match (if any?)

Thanks
Ramon • July 14th, 2005
nevermind. Its on Fox. Anyway, if anyone wants to know anything about Real just ask. I'd be glad to answer. I was born in Madrid and been a fan since. Watched the team from the days of Juanito and Santillana.
Joe Blom • July 15th, 2005
The fact is Donovan proved himself in the 2002 World Cup. He was able to compete and score world class goals against the best the world had to offer. You can talk him down all you want for playing in the mls instead of on an foriegn club team. but i for one am glad to go down to the Home Depot center and watch him win games.... AND KC KELLER IS GOD!!!!!!!!...
david becham • July 15th, 2005
great football player zid and davy
sid-dogger • July 16th, 2005
People People People--It is Soccer here in America so if you like calling it "Football", which it actually is in other countries, go there then, this is America, we speak English, we call it SOCCER, and we don't undermine our talent here IN America. Landon is a good player (Fact), and if all you, or anyone, can do is be negative and critisize him for all his let me give you a quote by Teddy Roosevelt:

"It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."

So I say good job Landon Donovon and to you other "brave and valiant souls", keep fighting the good fight, and props to you for taking the high road and sticking to your own country's sometimes struggling league--in comparison to more established and more prestigious teams--that needs to be built, to be developed, and to be endured by the test of time so that in America we can become as strong in SOCCER as we are in the many other facets of our great nation. So do not be overly critical of people who take the high road, or even those who choose to follow the rut that others have established but remember that American Soccer will be great someday and remember, "Rome was not bult in a day"
Dreikner • July 17th, 2005
Dur Dur Dur

What are you people babbling about of course the Galaxy is going to loose. There is not ass much money in the MLS like in the Spanish leagues over there. Money can buy the best players, but it cant buy heart and I think thats the only way Galaxy is going to win, at least I hope they do.
Football • July 17th, 2005
How come all you complain about teams over here when I bet all of you are lazy bumbs who only watch and critize players. If all you say that MLS has cheap players then why dont all of you try and get into one team if your so good. I'd like to see that happen. HAAAAAAH HAAAAAh.

Suckers!

Get A life. There 50% off at Savon you losers!
Score • July 17th, 2005
THe Galaxy is going to win by...............

11......fouls
Sabes que? • July 17th, 2005
Real madrid is going to cream galaxy...American footballers dont have as much talent as the others. I predict Ronaldo will have 2 goals..and Real Madrid wins 4 - 1.
ronaldo • July 17th, 2005
Real Madrid is going to win this match without a doubt. They are absolutely incredible. American men can't play soccer. Why even bother playing. Leave it to Europeans and Brazilians.
Peter • July 17th, 2005
I thought Argentina beat the Brazilians 3-0. The USA is already considered among the best 15 teams in the World.

I coach youngsters in the East coast and I can tell you they play as well as europeans and south americans at their age.

Have faith! The USA is coming!! give us two more World Cups and we will be there at the top!
Angie • July 17th, 2005
We just attended the training session...what a total disappointment! The team was about 40 minutes late to take the field, and then they only practiced for about 40 minutes! The big 5 never did anything at all except run a few laps, and then sit on the grass. We paid $30/ea to get in and I am telling you it wasn't worth $5. My daughter and I were in the VERY front, right by the grass and the players never even came close at all.

I can pretty much assure everyone that there will be no autograph session tomorrow after the game. . .the crazies ruin it for everyone. It is sad that because of a few jerks that feel the need to run out onto the field, the players don't feel safe enough to sign an autograph for a little girl that has tears in here eyes!!

Not much else to say...I hope the game is worth watching, and I sincerely hope the big dogs come off the porch tomorrow.
Victor • July 17th, 2005
That's too bad... well, I'll be going to the game tonight, paid 65 bucks for a crappy seat but I'm a huge RM fan and the chance to see them in L.A. won't ever come by again, so what the hell. Apparently they're going to be touring the Hollywood walk of fame in about 1 hour... I'd love to get off work for an early lunch break and see them. Anyway, these friendlies are usually pretty garbage games, but I think we'll see most of the big names just to please the crowd. Ronaldo is doubtful after a slight injury in the Chicago game.
lovefutbol • July 18th, 2005
THE BIG DOGS ARE HERE!!! SEE YOU ALL AT THE GAME!!
Haacked • July 18th, 2005
According to FIFA (http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/index.html) USA is ranked #10 in the world. Not too shabby, eh?

USA is the up and coming soccer powerhouse. Someday we'll be watching the World Cup anticipating the inevitable Brazil USA matchup in the finals. Someday.
Victor • July 18th, 2005
I just had my picture taken with Roberto Carlos... I drove over to Hollywood Bl., parked, and looked around at Mann's Chinese Theater but they weren't there. I walked down a little further to the shopping center on Hollywood and Highland and there were 2 ordinary tourist buses with the team. Suddenly Roberto was directly to my right, 5 feet away. After he took a photo with some other people I got one with his and told him I was a big fan. I was wearing my jersey and should've had him sign that too... oh well. It was cool. There were some younger guys too, some "canteranos" that I didn't recognize. Some people stayed on the buses, I didn't see any other big names. HALA MADRID!!!
Joe • July 18th, 2005
Real Madrid is going to bring a full squad and should win handily. Landon Donovan has played well this year for the U.S.; however, I think he plays far below his capacity when playing with the Galaxy, he just doesn't look like the same player. Tonight's game, has a ENORMOUS impact on what soccer (football) will mean for the US for the years to come. There are rumors circulating that Beckham may be bought out by the Galaxy, if they can put forth enough cash to bring him over. His bitch of a wife apparently wants to live in the U.S., and it sounds like he will do whatever the hell she wants to do. Beckham is a pussy and he wears women's underwear according to Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice). If an MLS team could score Beckham, that would open the flood gates to all the closeted soccer fans in America. Soccer would soon gather a much stronger following, meaning more money, and with more money we will have better players and a more competitive league. I hope the Galaxy win tonight, for the future of US soccer.
Joe • July 18th, 2005
One more thing. Eddie Johnson is spectacular. I hope he gets back soon. My prediction is that he will be a much better player than the over-hyped Adu. I know Adu is young and will develop into a far better player, I just don't see his talent catching Johnson's ability.
SUCKER FREE COUNTDOWN • July 18th, 2005
galaxy SUCKS... BECKHAM IS THE BEST. HIS MY COUSIN
lovefutbol • July 18th, 2005
I'm starting to think someone is jealous of Beckham or wants to borrow his women's underwear :) Joe?
Ivan • July 18th, 2005
I would just like to see a good soccer game today!

Honestly I think that Galaxy just do not have quality to beat Real. Also, the reason why I do not want ot watch this game from stands and pay 50$ is fact that the best players, I do want to see playing, eather will not play or/and will not play their best games so it will be waist of money.

Cheers

Serbia to Los Angeles
Jan • July 18th, 2005
Sure... Galaxy is not RM. MLS is not La Liga. So what? in case those of you who are putting down American soccer don't remember is that the USA put up a better show than many soccer super-power countries in the last worldcup. Luck? may be.. still was a better place. Besides, what other country has a newer pro-league than MLS is? You better watch out, you better not cry! American soccer is growing step by step.. Jest remember.. no one gives a break to the USA.. whatever we do, we do it well! Our athletes are courageous and never give up. They might not always win, but they give a good fight to anybody. If it hurts.. use some vaseline.

Jan
Real Madrid is no match for th • July 18th, 2005
The Germans will stomp on Real Madrid and make them look like a bunch of amateurs

-MTwnke
Bend over Beckham • July 18th, 2005
david beckham lights up my little world . . . . .

skyhawks@earthlink.net
dementiano • July 18th, 2005
Just came back from the RM game and, of course, they won. Im not going to rant and rave about the team, I was, however, VERY IMPRESSED with Zindane. Zindane is the best player I have ever seen play live. AMAZING CONTROL OF THE BALL.

Also, was anyone surprised how Figo was so well received. I think he had the best reception out of any other player. He was the only one that had a name chant!
Joe • July 18th, 2005
RM showed they are a top class team. One of the announcers hit the nail on the head last night when he said that one player from RM, is probably worth the (in terms of salary) entire LA Galaxy's salary with the exception of Landon Donovan. It was no surprise that RM won, it was also no surprise that the reason Figo has his own chant is because he may have the best ball handling skills in the entire world. He is truly magical, and hope to see him play sometime soon.

Peace,

Joe
Spanish fan • July 18th, 2005
Real Madrid players have just started their pre-season. They aren't even at a 50 %. Galaxy players are already involved in the regular season. Conclusion: this same play two months later would have been much more positive for Real and MLS is still quite far from European leagues.

Sorry for my bad English! Thanks for your passion and fair play, Angelinos and Galaxy soccer supporters!!
ME!! • July 19th, 2005
WOO!!! i went to the game! what an awesome game within the first 6 minutes REALMADRID had already scored! what an exciting gameee!! GO BECKHAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lovefutbol • July 19th, 2005
The game was amazing and I have to agree with dementiano

, Zindane showed how the ball should be handled. RM played like the true stars they are. If they wanted to they could have made Galaxy look really, really bad by wining game 10 to zip. They left it at 2-0 not to make the players from Galazy look like loosers in their own home town. That's class. As for Beckham, he was dreamy as usual but so was Carlos. Figo was well received because like Zindane, he handles the ball better than anyone. Watching them was a pure pleasure. It wouldn't even matter if they had lost because they were out there to show their skills and the classiness of how beautifully the sport of soccer can be played.

It was a great honor and pleasure to watch them play!!

REAL MADRID KICKS ASS!!
LA Fan • July 20th, 2005
I could only chant to LA that they will never walk alone. Hats off to the Riot Club for their LA support despite all odds in the Real game. I go to all the LA matches and my major critisim is the first time touch by LA in the Real game. To loose the ball so many times in midfield is unacceptable. You loose it there, you loose five player and momentum. It was clearly evident in watching the match again on FSC that LA does not have a chess match mentality to know five steps ahead on what they may potentially attempt to do with the ball. The skill is OK and the speed to do things quickly is potentially there... but lets no abandon the metal side of this game. It's a thinking game and when you are presented with constant change and choice... you must have the mental capacity to "know" what is ahead and to contunually compensate for it. Doing things differently, creatively. Those of you who have played the game for many years know what I'm talking about.

ZIZU is a master and we saw that clearly on display. Always thinking... always translating that thinking into movement on and off the ball. We need men who can think out there, not boys.

One last thing... we need LA to forget looking abroad for talent... stop traveling to South America to find someone. Start traveling right here. We have it in our own backyard. Players who can think... as well as having the skill. (We had one foreign midfielder against Real whose brain turned off and was evident to all.)

As a fan... I will get behind them... so will the Riot club... and so will other supporters.
kiri • July 24th, 2005
The only reason the US is ranked high by FIFA is because they rake in points by playing against shitty countried. I mean...come on! If the US had to play again south america to qualify they would never make it to the world cup.

But they keep playing against countries whose #1 sport is not soccer and whose population is less than that of Rhode Island.

That is why they are ranked high.

How come at every world cup they LOSE miserably?

In france 1998 they didnt even win a single match!

USA, MExico, Canada have it so easily. They get to go to the World Cup by beating Panama, Costa Rica, etc.... What a joke!

Try playing Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, etc.. in order to qualify
Skip Smith • July 25th, 2005
Hey kiri,

>>"How come at every world cup they LOSE miserably?

In france 1998 they didnt even win a single match!"

I notice you didn't mention the most recent World Cup in your analysis, where the US went to the quarterfinals and lost 1-0 to Germany.

Let's face it. Soccer is the only thing you're better at than the Americans, and soon we'll take that away from you too. No wonder you're so bitter.
Skip Smith • July 27th, 2005
Columbus Crew 2, Fulham 1. BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

USA! USA! USA!
youssef • May 14th, 2006
vive le realmadrid