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Inconsistent offensive effort hurt Union in loss to Galaxy

The Union still haven't generated a consistent offense during the young Major League Soccer season, and for the first time on Saturday night, it cost them. Failing to record a shot in the first half and to fully take advantage of a man advantage for the majority of the second, the Union lost, 1-0, to the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Sebastien Le Toux and the rest of the Union's attacking players didn't do much against the Galaxy. (Bret Hartman/AP)
Sebastien Le Toux and the rest of the Union's attacking players didn't do much against the Galaxy. (Bret Hartman/AP)Read more

The Union still haven't generated a consistent offense during the young Major League Soccer season, and for the first time on Saturday night, it cost them. Failing to record a shot in the first half and to fully take advantage of a man advantage for the majority of the second, the Union lost, 1-0, to the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

The Union (2-1) had notched 1-0 wins in their first two games over Houston and Vancouver.

"I think - me included - we tried to look for the killer pass too often, and we had to find feet and had to have more possession and patience in the first half," Union midfielder Brian Carroll said by telephone after the game.

Los Angeles scored the game's lone goal in the 33d minute when Leonardo headed in an outstanding David Beckham service off a free kick. Beckham, who had an assist last year on a corner kick in a 1-0 win over the Union at PPL Park, isn't the most mobile player anymore, but he is still as accurate on set pieces as any player.

"Sometimes you defend very solidly, and there is just a great service that finds a player's head, and there is nothing you can do about it," Carroll said.

The Galaxy (2-1-1) missed a chance to increase the lead when Juninho hit the crossbar on a blast in the 50th minute.

The Union earned a man advantage in the 53d minute when Galaxy midfielder Chris Birchall was given a red card after a tussle with Carlos Ruiz.

"We had the opportunity once they got a red card to push the game," Carroll said. "We needed to be a little sharper going forward."

Even with his team down a man, Galaxy goalie Donovan Ricketts wasn't forced into making any spectacular saves. In fact he wasn't credited with any saves at all. Los Angeles also had four corner kicks to none for the Union.

The Union's Jack McInerney was given a red card late during second-half stoppage time, after a shoving match with the Galaxy's Chad Barrett.

The Union visit D.C. United at the Maryland SoccerPlex for Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup match and then return to MLS action with Saturday's 7 p.m. meeting against the New York Red Bulls at PPL Park.

Rapids rout United. Caleb Folan scored twice, and Jamie Smith and Omar Cummings each added strikes as Colorado pasted D.C. United, 4-1, in Denver on Sunday night. Santino Quaranta scored for United.