SPORTS NEWS: GALAXY VS. UNION

Los Angeles Galaxy's Leonardo. Photo Credit: LA Galaxy.

Calling foul

By John Esther

In a game marked by many questionable yellow and red cards, the Los Angeles Galaxy managed to win at Home Depot Center 1-0 against the visiting Philadelphia Union on Saturday night.

After a somewhat frustrating start for both sides, the game opened up for Los Angeles during the 33^rd minute when English midfielder David Beckham took a penalty kick from 25 yards out and connected with the head of Brazil's Leonardo, knocking the ball beyond the reach of Philadelphia goalkeeper, team captain and Colombian national, Faryd Mondragon.

Shortly into the second half, Philadelphia's offence opened up. In the 47^th French midfielder Sebastian Le Toux briefly threatened a tie before Galaxy Jamaican goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts made his first serious save of the MLS 2011 season.

Los Angeles looked to increase the lead when Brazilian midfielder Juninho looked for his third goal of the season in the 57^th minute. The Galaxy's top scorer of the season hit the top crossbar.

Then the citations started to be issued. Los Angeles midfielder Chris Birchall was ejected from the field with a red card after an altercation with former Galaxy top-scorer Carlos Ruiz. The Union forward received a yellow card.

Now playing with 10 men, Los Angeles became more reserved in their play while the increasingly unpopular referee Paul Ward was anything but reserved with the yellow and red cards. In addition to the cards for Ruiz and Birchall, in the 51^st minute a yellow card was issued to Los Angeles' Miguel Lopez. Ricketts was issued a yellow card for delay of game in the 60^th minute while Beckham essentially asked for one in the 90^th minute and Los Angeles captain Landon Donovan received one in the 92^nd minute. Yellow cards were issued to Philadelphia players Sheanon Williams (64^th minute), Jordan Harvey (78^th minute), and Danny Califf (88^th minute), plus a red card to Jack McInerney (94^th minute).

This was the first lost of the MLS season for Philadelphia, who maintain first place in the Eastern Conference.

Now in second place in the Western Conference with seven points, the Galaxy will face off against Eastern Conference D.C. United for a match Saturday, 4 p.m. PST.