Earning West title serves as redemption for LA
Galaxy earn home-field advantage in playoffs following last year's struggles
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The victory clinched the club's first Western Conference title since 2002 and served as a redemption of sorts for a franchise that had struggled since their MLS Cup championship season of 2005. Things got so bad the team finished tied for the worst record in MLS a year ago.
Saturday also was special for the Galaxy's David Beckham, who was saluted with a standing ovation when Jovan Kirovski substituted for him late in the match. These were the same fans, remember, who vented their anger and frustration at him earlier this year after he returned from a lengthy loan to AC Milan, where he is expected to return again early in 2010 as he continues preparations in hopes of playing for England in next year's World Cup in South Africa.
But unlike this past July, when Galaxy fans showered him with abuse -- including one who actually confronted Beckham on the field during a friendly with his Italian club -- Galaxy faithful showed him their thanks.
Beckham, in particular, took note of the fans' support, even though his relationship with them has been a bit rocky at times. Saturday it appeared as if they've loved him all along.
"It's been up and down this season, which has been made well aware by a lot of people," Beckham said. "It's always nice to have the support of your fans. You always go out there, you play your best, you play your hardest. You can't always make everybody happy ... that's just life, but it's been good in the last couple of weeks or a month.
"I hope it continues because we need the support for the whole team, not just myself. We need the support we had there tonight for the playoffs."
Beckham wouldn't say the ovation eased any of the sting that perhaps might be lingering from his return earlier this season, but he did say it's never been an issue with him anyway.
"Not really," he said. "I said at the time it didn't bother me. I've had it all before. To have it from your own fans it's always a bit different. Of course I'd much prefer it this way than what it was a few months back.
"Ninety-five percent of the fans have been great to me since I've moved to L.A. It's good that it's back to what it was and back to supporting the team."
That helped make Saturday's win all the more gratifying from a team perspective.
"It's huge," Mike Magee said. "This is one of the better feelings I've had in my pro career."
"From where we came from to come back is a huge accomplishment," Chris Klein said. "It doesn't mean we'e done yet, but it is a big deal. It's a season's worth of work. Sometimes that's more gratifying in other countries. but we're definitely happy."
Head coach Bruce Arena said he was particularly pleased the club won the West at home in front of a fanbase that has backed the club through not only its best times but also its worst.
"To come out on top was fabulous," he said. "Obviously they supported this team in good times and bad times. They deserve a lot of credit and I'm happy we've been able to turn things around."
Larry Morgan is a contributor to MLSnet.com
