The Los Angeles Galaxy lost the California Clasico to the San Jose Earthquakes on June 30 and also lost midfielder David Beckham for the July 4 match against the Philadelphia Union.
After taking a 3-1 lead in the match through 41 minutes, the Galaxy lost their composure. Our side lost the lead shortly after halftime. Victor Bernardez started the San Jose comeback a minute before stoppage time of the first half. Bernardez hit a volley to the far post into the side netting on a Marvin Chavez corner kick. Sam Cronin would score a few minutes after halftime to level the match and Chris Wondolowski hit in the game-winner on a backheel from another Chavez corner.
Whether or not the Bernardez goal rattled the Galaxy, the officiating certainly played a role in the loss. The Galaxy raised their hands on two occasions in the second half thinking that San Jose had touched the ball with a hand in the penalty area. The referee did not call a handball either time. Galaxy manager Bruce Arena said about the referee after the match, "The referee had no clue to what's going on. There were a couple of handballs in the penalty area he missed, he did a poor job of managing the game."
Whether or not the referee becomes an issue is up to the team which doesn't get the calls they want. L.A. let it get in their heads they didn't get calls and when San Jose was time wasting in second half stoppage time, Beckham let his emotions get the better of him. Beckham kicked the ball and hit Cronin who was laying on the ground in the Earthquakes penalty area after a collision. He clearly wasn't hurt as he hopped back up once the ball struck him. However, once Beckham was shown the yellow for the moment of frustration he cost himself the next match for accumulated yellow cards. It wasn't the first time he has been suspended by MLS for accumulated cards, but it's still hard to see him miss a match for doing something silly after loosing his cool.
More from Patrick Johnston:
Galaxy blow lead again against Earthquakes, 4-3
Omar Gonzalez Injury Update: defender back in training for Galaxy
David Beckham left off Team GB for London Olympics
Source:
Luis Bueno, "Galaxy find themselves on wrong end of emotional game", MLS Soccer.com
