Stars, Controversy, Turmoil, Chaos: Just a Typical Season in LA

In the words of Galaxy star Midfielder David Beckham "A little controversy is good for the club". With all that has happened in Los Angeles this year, that statement rings with the sound of truth. The Galaxy had to overcome inter-club turmoil concerning David Beckham. The turmoil reached an all-time high when Galaxy Captain Landon Donovan called out English Midfielder David Beckham, saying that Beckham was not committed to the club, or making the sport prominent in America. Donovan's comments came at a time when the Galaxy were not performing on the field, and were well out of the MLS playoff picture. Later people questioned whether or not Beckham would rejoin the Galaxy, or would he stay with AC Milan. Then, following a meeting with Donovan, Beckham, and Galaxy Manager Bruce Arena, the Galaxy stared winning. Los Angeles went on a tear, and moved up the Western Conference standings, improving their position in the table from sixth in July to Champions of the Western Conference at the end of the season. The Galaxy's season has been full of disappointing results, under-achieving players, and off the field controversy and second guessing. Still, at the end of the season the Galaxy found themselves on top of the Western Conference, and in the MLS Cup Final. Admits all the controversy the Galaxy got the job done at the end of the season---what else do you expect from FC Hollywood. Here is a review of the Galaxy's season, and how they reached the MLS Cup Final that will be played on Sunday.

Los Angeles started the year off with the Pan-Pacific Championship. After winning their first match, the Galaxy fell 4-2 in PK's to Korean club Suwan Samsung Bulldogs. With the pre-season over it was time for the Galaxy to focus on the MLS season. The Galaxy started the campaign out with a 2-2 draw with DC United at home. Draws seemed to be the theme of the early part of the season, as time and again the Galaxy found themselves only taking away a point in games they thought they should of won. The club looked desperate as the Galaxy were win less with a 0-1-3 record through April. It was in the midst of this drawing streak that the Galaxy were knocked out of the US Open Cup by Colorado on Penalty Kicks

Then it looked as if things were about to turn around as the Galaxy defeat the New York Red Bulls 1-0 at home to start the month of May. However, following the win the Galaxy went back to their drawing ways by only taking one point in an unprecedented five straight matches to end the month of May. June saw some more decisive results as the Galaxy kicked off the month by beating Toronto 2-1. However the Galaxy went .500 in the month as they only managed to beat Houston in their next three matches.

It was at this point that the Galaxy started to click as Los Angeles won three straight to climb back into the playoff picture. Loose ends in the midfield were also sewn up for the Galaxy as July saw the return of English star David Beckham. Questions of whether or not Beckham would have a smooth transition from AC Milan to the Galaxy were answered when Beckham recorded an assist when he gave the ball to Donovan who buried his shot in the upper-corner of the net. With Beckham's incorporation back into the club, the Galaxy became a winning machine.

Following a 2-1 loss to Barcelona at the Rose Bowl the Galaxy posted a 3-2 record, and Los Angeles seemed to be assured of a playoff spot. However a dent in the Galaxy armor appeared as with the use of pure speed FC Dallas embarrassed the Galaxy 6-3 at home. However the Galaxy finished stronger than the rest of their competition as Los Angeles went 3-1-2 in the final two month of the regular season, and won two out of their last three. The Galaxy's strong finish to the season was enough for the stars of Southern California to claim first in the West, heading into the playoffs.

The Galaxy were to go up against their cross-town rivals Chivas USA in the first round of the playoffs. Following a 2-2 draw in a first leg that saw plenty of fouls and pathetic defence. Landon Donovan scored off a PK in the 72nd minute and the Galaxy advanced to the Western Conference Final. In the conference final the Galaxy overcame two power-outages and a ridiculous start time to begin with the beat the Houston Dynamo in overtime 2-0. With the win the Galaxy advanced to their first Cup Final since 2005 when the Galaxy won the title.

This year all the Galaxy's hype, star power, and most importantly, all the money spent on the roster, stadium, and the organization in general is all finally coming into fruition. It seems that this year is the Galaxy's year. The players are gelling together. Their offence is dynamic. And what is the most impressive, is that Donovan Rickets and the Galaxy defense have been impressive reducing a league high 62 goals from last year, down to an impressive 31 goals allowed throughout the 2009 season. Everything seems to be lining up for the Galaxy this year, the question will be is will this run for Hollywood's team, have a Hollywood-like ending.