By ADAM SERRANO
ALAJUELA, Costa Rica — The Los Angeles Galaxy were made painfully aware that earning road points in the CONCACAF Champions League is no easy task, falling 1-0 to Alajuelense at the Estadio Alejandra Morera Soto.
Pablo Gabas’ free kick goal in the 28th minute of play handed the Galaxy their second straight defeat in group stage play. It was a difficult night for the Galaxy, who battled an abysmal turf field, a frenzied crowd and a talented Alajuelense side that proved to be too much.
The defeat sets up a must-win matchup next Wednesday against Monarcas Morelia at the Home Depot Center. It's a result that Los Angeles will need to earn without David Beckham, who is suspended due to yellow-card accumulation. Whereas last week's deficit to Morelia was chalked up to questionable officiating, this time the Galaxy could simply admit the obvious — they simply did not handle the conditions well.
"We didn't play well. The field was really difficult to play on," head coach Bruce Arena said. "Our opponents were more comfortable, not to use it as an excuse, but it's a terrible field to play a competition on. We played equally as poor and our opponent played better from start to finish. They played with a lot of energy and a lot more confidence on the surface than we did."
The Galaxy also battled a ferocious crowd that pelted them with insults and disdain from the moment that the team bus arrived in Alajuela. When the Galaxy entered the stadium, every obscene gesture and whistle could be heard as the venerable stands shook due to the noise level. Los Angeles controlled possession during the first half and nearly silenced the crowd in the fourth minute. Mike Magee fired in a volley off a pass from midfield by Beckham, forcing a save form Alajuela goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton. The Alajuela goalkeeper fumbled the rebound, which fell to Landon Donovan, who fired a shot off the post.
The hosts finally broke through in the 28th minute when a foul by Juninho on Jonathan McDonald nearly 30 yards out set up a free kick for Gabas. The Alajuela captain fired his shot into the upper left corner and beat the out-stretched Josh Saunders, who could do little on Gabas' laser. The goal sent the Liga fans into a fury as fans climbed fences and chanted after Gabas' decisive goal. It was Gabas — an Argentine who was recently nationalized by Costa Rica — who was perhaps the finest player on the night, routinely creating chances that challenged the Galaxy backline.
"Today was a full day. In the morning, with the nationalization and at night I scored a goal," Gabas told reporters after the match. "I'm happy because we give the three points in a game that was a final against the Galaxy who are fighting with us in the standings."
In the second half, the Galaxy struggled to generate chances on the harsh surface while Alajuelense rode the momentum generated from the crowd and pushed for a second goal. Alajuelense came close to scoring four times, but were unable to finish, and in the moments that the Galaxy did push ahead, the Alajuelense players frequently resorted to time wasting in order to stall any Galaxy impetus.
In the 52nd minute, Jamaican referee Courtney Campbell dealt a blow to the Galaxy when he issued a yellow to Beckham after his trip of Luis Miguel Valle near midfield. It was Beckham’s second yellow of group play, which carries a one-game suspension.
Although the Galaxy were unsuccessful in Costa Rica, the experience at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Sota was truly a sight to behold.
"Probably the loudest crowd I've ever played in front of," said Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza. "It's something that we kind of thrive on as a pro. We like to play in front of venues like this. The crowd was loud. You could barely hear the person next to you. It was a great atmosphere. This is where we should shine."
The Galaxy still control their own destiny in group play going their next match on Sept. 28th against Morelia. Depending on the result of Morelia's match in Honduras against Club Motagua on Thursday, a win or draw for the Galaxy next week would help Los Angeles bypass the Mexicans in the group standings.
"It's a home game. We came into this tournament knowing that we have to win at home," Magee said. "Especially with the way that the points lined up the way that they were, we're going to have to win."
