Donovan Ricketts back into the starting line up after injury, Landon Donovan back after international duty. After good pressure from the Galaxy, it was a David Beckham set piece that gave Leonardo the opportunity to head home for the first and only goal of the game shortly after the half-hour mark. Just a minute or so later, Beckham had a shot of his own from distance saved by the scrambling Philadelphia goalkeeper.
On balance it looked like The Galaxy were worth their lead as they went into the tunnel for the end of the first half.
The second half was going to be all about the referee in the worst possible way. Referees do best when they make good firm decisions and nip any unwanted behaviour in the bud. This one did not... he gave Birchall a straight red for an off the ball incident, then seemed to waver a little and book the opposing offender (Ruiz) for the same altercation - one of those where you think if they're both at fault, why is only one sent off?
This was only the tip of this particular iceberg, as from minute 51 to minute 90, the ref also booked:
Lopez (LA), Ricketts (LA), Williams (PHI), Harvey (PHI) Califf (PHI) Beckham AND Donovan... such was the lack of control exercised by the ref, that the game culminated in a free-for-all scrap on 90 minutes at which the ref produced yet another red card to finish of a half of eight bookings and two dismissals...
Never mind the bookings, LA were delighted to close out the game as winners on home turf extinguishing some of the disappointment of last week. Beckham has his second assist of the season, this time playing in a more central mid-field role, and will be looking for goals to add to those assists soon.
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