Real Madrid rallies past LA Galaxy 3-2

The huge crowd of over 89,000 at the Rose Bowl was loud and anticipated a wonderful night of soccer as they settled into their spots to watch Real Madrid and new boss Jose Mourinho face off with the LA Galaxy Saturday night.  They were treated to a great night. 

Within three minutes of the opening whistle both sides committed errors that almost led to a scoring opportunity. However, the early scare came when Galaxy midfielder Juninho drove down the left flank and was tackled late and recklessly by Madrid defender Sergio Ramos. LA were granted the free kick ten yards out from the 18 yard box, but the attempt was to no avail.

Real Madrid began to settle in and string their short passes together frolm there and it was game on.  The Galaxy slowly settled and clearly got stronger as the half progressed, standing strong against the European giants.  Jose Mourinho steamed more and more as LA pushed.

The first Galaxy goal came in the 40th minute. Landon Donovan initiated the play with a corner kick on the right side. The cross was sent and found the head of tall defender Omar Gonzalez in the six who looped it off the post. The ball pinballed out and the battle ensued as several players fought for the ball. Todd Dunivant won the fight and flicked in the opening goal.

Minutes later there was an ugly incident in the Real Madrid penalty area. Galaxy midfielder Juninho was waiting for a cross as Madrid defender Royston Drenthe raced to cut off the pass. Drenthe attempted a flying kick for the interception, but caught Juninho in the chest instead. It was an ugly challenge that floored Juninho the result being a penalty kick to LA.

The match was already in first-half injury time when Donovan stepped up to the plate. Madrid keeper Jerzy Dudek juked and jived and committed to the left, but Donovan went right, beating the goalkeeper and giving LA the 2-0 lead.

Everyone knew the lead was far from safe as Jose Mourinho introduced Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso and Higuain at the break.  Every Cristiano Ronaldo touch was greeted with buzz around the stadium and the Spanish side streamed forward to open the half.

Real Madrid cut the lead in half in the 52nd minute of play. Ronaldo drove the ball in from the left wing with two defenders between him and Agrentine international Gonzalo Higuain. The cross was teasingly close, but the defence was unable to reach it as Higuain put it home past second-half keeper Josh Saunders.

Ten minutes later Real Madrid had a free kick that was redirected on target by defender Ezequiel Garay, Saunders made a quick reflex save but the defense cleared straight to Gago just outside the 18.  Gago passed back into the area to Higuain, who, after a deft bit of footwork curled the ball into the side netting for the equaliser.

The charge of Madrid continued. Ten minutes later the Spanish club took the lead. Madrid were on the attack with Higuain going for his hat-trick, but Saunders got a foot on it. The deflection came out to a surging Xabi Alonso just outside the area. The midfielder blasted it far left, but it deflected off Eddie Lewis into the net.

The Galaxy were somewhat absent from the second half.  One can blame it on fatigue after playing midweek in Puerto Rico and the fact that they removed their studs after halftime. But regardless, it was a hard-fought battle that, unfortunately for LA, went Madrid's way.

Madrid now return to Europe, while the Galaxy travel to New York next week to play Thierry Henry, Rafael Marquez and the Red Bulls. However, Donovan, Edson Buddle, and Omar Gonzalez were called up for the US to play in the upcoming international friendly against Brazil.