My family ventured across the great divide to Los Angeles on Saturday night to see the LA Galaxy play the Philadelphia Union -- and we had a blast. With less than a minute gone from the clock, the Galaxy scored and eventually won, 3-1, so it was an exciting game to say the least.

While I know many parents dread the long drive,  and it does take time to drive up and back, going to the Home Depot Center to see the "local" pro team play was a great family activity and we had a wonderful time.  

We arrived early and were able to see the famous Futboleros juggle the ball and perform a wonderful show.  Founder James Ortega is an expert soccer showman and he and his team can perform amazing feats with soccer balls.  The Futboleros have performed for the Galaxy for three years now, showing their freestyle soccer tricks before every game.


Edson Buddle continued his magic touch on the ball, notching his first assist of the season and two more goals, both of which were unassisted. It was amazing to watch him play, he really is a phenomenal player.

We hadn’t even sat down in our seats before Buddle sent a great cross to A.J. DeLaGarza, who put it in the back of the net. DeLaGarza is the only other player other than Buddle to score for the Galaxy this season.

Buddle scored twice in the second half. On one of those goals he tucked away a loose ball that he had tried and failed to score on a backheel. His teammates all went crazy and mobbed him after the goal, knocking off one of his cleats. He picked it up and put it to his ear, pretending it was a phone. It was pretty hilarious.

The other neat thing at the game was that veteran midfielder Clint Mathis made his season debut after suffering a knee injury and recovering from surgery. He went in late in the second half and nearly set Landon Donovan up with a goal in extra time. From what I know, Mathis is a dangerous opponent so I can imagine once he gets back into the full swing of things, he is going to be a force for the Galaxy.

If you haven't gone to see the Galaxy play, you really should make a trip up there. If not for anything else than to see Buddle's sweet golden foot in action.