Tonight, the Los Angeles Galaxy goes to the pitch against a traditionally strong Mexican side, Las Rayadas de Necaxa.  I CAN'T wait to get to HDC, take my seat with my peanuts and two nine dollar beers and start screaming... I scream at the players, the Riot Squad to my left for stopping their chants, and Alexi Lalas for changing the start time of the July 4th game and not notifying me.  (Thanks for the autographed ball, Alexi, that definately makes up for the error of notification!)

Tonight is a game that I believe should be occuring far more often than it is.  MLS teams MUST be playing games against teams from other leagues around the world so they can get a TRUE report card on the growth and development of our teams.  I can't wait for the day when Chelsea or other world league powers come to the United States to play ONE MLS squad, not our All-Star squad as they prep for their own seasons. 

Should the Galaxy trounce the Rayas, as we ought to as we're mid season and they are getting ready for their season, I am going to celebrate hard. (I'll have a coke for the 115 mile drive home!) (Man have times changed, years ago, I'd have stopped at Mom's house for beers with my brothers and got up early to go to work!) 

The true tests, however, are how well Donovan (our celebrated Pu$$y) handles the expected Mexican physical pressure.  Can Ihemelu effectively stop the Mexican strikers and will the YOUNG but talented Galaxy midfield be able to deal with good quality players like Oniedo from Columbia and several solid Mexican midfielders.

The part that sucks and will really irritate me is if Yallop (Galaxy head coach) uses only reserves to evaluate them in this game.  The Galaxy website indicates that may happen. So, tell me, exactly how does that help the league? (And it begs the question, how can the team advertise the game as a game against this fine Mexican squad and get me fired up for it and then have Yallop only play reserves?)  If we get spanked tonight because of that, the confidence levels of those young players may be severely damaged.  Yallop should commit to the MLS, the team, and the fans a quality product on the field.  Substitute freely but play to win, nay, play to SPANK the Mexicans.  (I love you honey)

Later,

DTB