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The last time Toronto FC played the Los Angeles Galaxy was at BMO Field, a goalless match that should have been a victory for the home side based on the run of play.
Galaxy defender Ty Harden had as many saves as Toronto goalkeeper Kenny Stamatopoulos: one. That was a game-saver, a clearance on the line early in the game on a ball that was going in.
Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon did his bit, preserving the draw by stopping Andy Welsh in stoppage time in the second half.
All the fuss was about Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, who sat out with an ankle injury. He was hardly missed, because the atmosphere was electric at BMO Field and even Los Angeles forward Landon Donovan, who had urged the crowd to "bring it, but be creative," appeared overwhelmed, greeted with pink streamers when he tried corner kicks.
The teams will be at it again tonight at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., and it would be surprising if Toronto could dominate play this time.
Toronto is even further depleted than it was in August. Stalwart Jim Brennan has joined those on the sideline with a knee injury, and Carl Robinson, Maurice Edu and Andrew Boyens are away to play international matches for Wales, United States and New Zealand, respectively.
Continuing pain is expected to keep Beckham from tonight's match.
"He's just sore from what he did bodywise. He really hasn't worked out much," Los Angeles head coach Frank Yallop said yesterday of Beckham. "It's not his knee or ankle. His knee and ankle are feeling good. He feels confident that the pain is starting to fade. Just by talking with him, he feels a lot more confident that any movement he does, he feels okay with."
Harden is listed as doubtful with a hip injury. The Galaxy, who once trailed Toronto in the Major League Soccer standings, now have a run at a playoff spot, but would need to win their final three games to assure themselves of a postseason place without help from other teams.
Toronto head coach Mo Johnston praised his friend Yallop, for dealing with the distractions of the Beckham circus as well as running the team. There were rumours a while ago that Yallop's job was on the line, but a tie and four consecutive victories have silenced that talk.
"I like the way they've handled it, they've handled it very well with David Beckham being out," Johnston said. "It's been very challenging for Frank. He was put under the microscope."
The Galaxy's schedule also was heavier in the second half of the season, particularly on the road, to try to take advantage of Beckham's presence as a draw. Beckham joined the team in July after his contract with Real Madrid expired.
There have been rumours about Toronto possibly delving into the designated-player area to make a bid for Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero, who also played for Italy's World Cup champions last year. Del Piero has been unable to agree to a new contract with his long-time club, so the possibility exists he could leave at the end of the Serie A season.
"I've got no comment to make on Del Piero," Johnston said yesterday from Los Angeles. "He's contracted to another team. You're not allowed to talk to anybody."
But he did indicate the money that Del Piero is making, and could command in his next deal, was out of reach for an MLS team, especially for a player who will be soon be 33. Del Piero has said that he would like to play in England's Premier League, but not for another team in Italy. He has been left off Italy's team for its Euro 2008 qualifier.
With a report from The Associated Press
