Posted by Assistant Producer James Cranford

Real Madrid came back to LA for the second year on the trot, and again start their pre-season tour playing MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy. Unlike last year at the Rose Bowl, this year’s game was set at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in front of 56,211 spectators.

The home side Galaxy started in a 4-5-1 with Saunders in goal replacing the injured Donovan Ricketts; Franklin, Berhalter, DeLaGarza, and Dunivant in the back line; Birchall, Juninho, Beckham, Lopez, and Donovan in the middle; Juan Pablo Angel up front on his own.

Real Madrid started with Iker Casillas in goal; Pepe, Carvalho, Ramos, and Marcelo in the back; Coentrao, Granero, Khedira, Kaka, and Callejon in the middle of the park; and Martin up front.

Real Madrid started brightly and continued the inspired play throughout the first half. Kaka was influential early on, clearly told by Mourinho to play creatively, and set up Marcelo with a through ball after a lovely run through the middle, the shot, however, was high.
Kaka was again on the action, as he concluded a lovely run of play by Madrid by passing to Callejon, who’s shot was well saved by Saunders.

A cry for a penalty came moments later as Kaka tried to dribble around Landon Donovan, contact was made inside the area but no call came from head referee Jorge Gonzales. The Brazilian looked to have claim for a penalty on that one.

Kaka was yet again in on the action, this time as a finisher but his side-footed shot from a Ramos cross went straight into the keepers’ arms.

Finally, Madrid were able to make their passing movement count as Coentrao started a passing combination from Kaka, who sent the ball to Callejon who made no mistake and scored the opener for the Merengues.

The only spark of life the Galaxy could create, aside from a few passing moves that led to nothing, came from the flashbulbs before a David Beckham free kick that ended up in the wall.

Beckham was on the wrong end of the second Madrid goal of the game. He gave the ball away to Martin who then finished for a goal from a deflection off of Beckham’s foot.

The half ended with the Galaxy being really disappointing. The only players who made an impact for the Galaxy and kept the half from getting out of hand were Saunders and defender Gregg Berhalter.

The second half started with the Galaxy making four changes including Landon Donovan coming off for Hector Jimenez. The Merengues made nine changes at the half, most notably Cristiano Ronaldo entering the field. The only starters to survive the half time break were Jose Maria Callejon and Fabio Coentrao.

The Galaxy started much brighter in the second stanza, but it all ended rather quickly with that guy Ronaldo providing the magic. He took the ball in midfield, ran with it, did a couple step overs, shimmied, stepped over the ball again, and from an acute angle beat the Keeper to his upper near post. Absolute beauty of a goal!

Madrid were pouring it on the Galaxy, as moments later Coentrao crossed the ball to the back post where Karim Benzema easily headed home for the 4-0 goal.

The Galaxy were finally able to keep some pressure up and were rewarded with a goal. Adam Cristman scored from a rebound that bounced off the Keeper straight to his head and he easily deposited the ball into the back of the net. 4-1 Merengues.

The match ended with the same scoreline as a few other chances went to waste.