LA Galaxy shine in Manila, post 6-1 win over Azkals

MANILA, Philippines – The Los Angeles Galaxy showed we are lightyears away from them.

Displaying great ground game and crisp passing, the reigning Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup champions posted a smashing 6-1 victory over an undermanned Philippine Azkals at the packed Rizal Memorial Football pitch tonight.  

Without goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, Dennis Cagara, Jerry Lucerna, Stephan Shrock, Paul Mulders and injured team captain Aly Borromeo, the Azkals surprisingly were the aggressors right after the kick-off.

It was, however, only short-lived.

David Beckham touched off LA Galaxy’s scoring parade with a curling goal in the 20th minute. United States team captain Landon Donovan’s crisp pass to Mike Magee resulted in another goal 18 minutes later to give the visitors a 2-nil lead.

Just as when the LA Galaxy got the momentum, Phil Younghusband connected in the 39th minute to make it close at the half.

The complexion of the game changed in the second half as LA Galaxy attacked the Azkals’ defense relentlessly.

“We were a little sloppy in the first half. We needed to come back strongly (in the second half),” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said in the post-match presser.

Ireland’s top scorer Robbie Keane ignited the LA Galaxy’s breakaway, scoring in a mad scramble at their goal’s mouth just two minutes into the second half.

With his first header ruled as an offside, Adam Cristman made sure his next would be counted. His header in the 62nd minute gave LA Galaxy a commanding 4-1 lead.

Gregg Berhalter continued the visitor’s onslaught with a penalty kick in the 81st minute. One more goal from Cristman pegged the final count.

It was a night to remember for Philippine football, with thousands of fans trooping to the venue for the highly anticipated match. It was also a great learning experience for the Azkals, who two months from now will be competing in the AFC Challenge Cup.

“We have a lot of things to improve on. We need to work more on our conditioning,” said Azkals coach Michael Weiss.

Beckham, known as football’s glamour boy, capped the night off by handing over his jersey to WBO welterweight champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, who was in attendance.

“I’m a huge fan of him (Pacquiao). I was really excited to talk to him,” said Beckham.

“We’d love to come back one day,” he added.