Galaxy midfielder David Beckham created the 15th-minute winner for former Metrostars Mike Magee as the LA Galaxy beat the New York Bulls 1-0 at Red Bull Arena. File Photo: DailyHarrison.com

Excellent goal keeping from Los Angeles keeper Josh Saunders and a goal from former Metro pretty-boy Mike Magee were enough to sink New York in the first leg of their playoff match up against the Galaxy.

The first half was a bit of a struggle for the Red Bulls, with some good passing and build up plays tied to sloppy defending and an inability to create chances. LA was the more threatening of the two squads in the first, with Robbie Keane hitting the post in the 12th minute and Magee heading the wide open rebound over the goal. The South Ward's chants of "Metro reject" were loud and clear (the supporters end was quite loud and active throughout the game), but Magee would make up for his miss just three minutes later. The shockingly handsome David Beckham delivered a free kick which was picked up by Magee who made a late run. He caught the New York defensive line by surprise and finished well, scoring what would be the game-winner.

New York looked extremely motivated to start the second, forcing Saunders to make excellent one on one saves on both Dane Richards and Joel Lindpere within the first five minutes of the half. New York could not keep up the stream of high-quality chances, and the game evened out again, with both LA and New York registering the occasional chance but never coming extremely close to tallying. Metro moved the ball well but largely looked out of ideas on the attack, and any time they created a good chance they were stifled by the extraordinary play of Saunders. Hans Backe, tactical genius, switched Luke Rodgers for Mehdi Ballouchy in the 80th minute in a move that is unlikely to win him any more fans. Although Ballouchy made a strong impact in the Dallas match, bringing on a midfielder for a striker while losing is generally not a good idea.

The game was fairly chippy (probably due in part to the near-flooded swamp of a pitch making every slide-tackle a bit more reckless) and an altercation after the match may end up seeing players from both teams suspended for the second leg of the series in LA. New York did not look terrible, but it seems only fitting that the "shifty" former Metro Mike Magee would score a goal on a set piece, which the Red Bulls are allergic to defending on. Playing away while down 1-0 to the best team in the league is certainly a challenge, but it is not an impossible one. The outcome will likely depend on which New York shows up for the match, the motivated and creative team we have seen flashes of throughout the year, or its lethargic and bone-headed evil twin.

Dave Braneck for DailyHarrison.com

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