LA Galaxy Vs. Real Salt Lake: First Half As It Happened

The teams are out! The LA Galaxy take the pitch in their brand new all white kits with a blue sash. Didn't go with contrasting blue shorts like on Wednesday. Real Salt Lake Are in all claret tonight, with yellow stripe and cobalt pit stains.

And we're off! Real Salt Lake will be kicking off and going toward the Riot End. The Galaxy will be kicking toward the AC End in the first half.

2' We had our first foul only seconds in. RSL restart and have a scoring opportunity stolen off the foot by the Galaxy defense. Two fouls now, and one has to hope the Galaxy remember how to run around, and not through, someone soon.

3' The Galaxy have their first attacking chance, but doesn't come to much. More fouls hopefully things clean up.

4' First goal kick of the night. RSL is controlling possession early, but haven't turned it into a scary moment yet. Tommy Meyer and the Galaxy back line doing a good job of cleaning things up.

6' Tony Beltran gets kicked as is down for a moment. Walks it off, everything continues.

8' Beckham cross deflected and out for a corner. It was all set up by a Mike Magee cross that RSL couldn't clear. Cross lands in the box, but Robbie Keane's shot was deflected.

9' Second Beckham corner is headed to safety by RSL, the system reboots.

11' A nice forward ball from Robbie Keane over the RSL defense to Edson Buddle has to be cleared away by Nick Rimando outside the box. Scary play from an RSL perspective.

15' So far the Galaxy are doing a good job of getting good opportunities, but then looking silly with it. The cross that fooled both defenders and forwards is probably the best example of that. RSL has had opportunities, but those haven't been converted into chances.

18' Mike Magee with a harsh tackle into Ned Grabavoy's gentleman sausage. Luckily Grabavoy seems to have recovered. Luis Gil with a breakaway, but his cross is to no one and is cleared stage right.

21' All the calls seem to be going RSL's way, which makes up for their lack of a corner. They've had two set pieces in the box so far, neither of them really threatening.

22' Marcelo Sarvas doing great work to get the ball back for the Galaxy. First thing you notice about this kid is he's got one heck of a motor.

26' Things just opened up for a hot second. Landon Donovan found space to run, and made the right (longer) pass to Keane, play was broken up.

27' Things moved quickly, and I missed some bits. But the most important part was when David Beckham sent in a cross that Magee backflipped (straight at the keeper). This after a wicked shot off the woodwork by Landon Donovan.

33' The game is moving more quickly now, but it hasn't resulted in chances since that FIFA-esque stint from the Galaxy.

34' RSL has had a few shots that made Saunders dive now, but he's been in good position so far. One thing I have noticed is the Galaxy are making good runs. RSL had one earlier called offside, but Buddle, Keane, and Donovan have the speed that will make choosing how to line up the back line interesting this year.

36' Landon Donovan gets inside of his marker, tripped on the edge of the box. Results in a yellow card for Beckerman. Beckham to take the free kick well inside his range.

38' Espindola and Todd Dunivant is an interesting pairing. Dola may have a step on Dunivant, but Todd is taking the right angles to keep up. Corner Kick RSL.

39' A Josh Saunders punch almost led to a Landon Donovan breakaway, but play got called back because men were down in the box. David Beckham got so upset at the ref for stopping play, that he went and recited his grocery list to the man with emphatic gestures.

43' Espindola got behind AJ DeLaGarza, but too far wide and with no one to cross it to. Dola is the only RSL player I've seen making deep cuts tonight, but I'm like only 80% observant.

45' A screamer of a shot hits the top bar of the woodwork and drops down somehow staying out. Marcelo Sarvas is going to get a bunch of Juninho comparisons with that one. Just inches lower and that'd be the game opener.

45+' Keane goes for a shot in the box but his leg hits nothing but claret. Ref doesn't call anything. Iffy situation anyhow.

And after half number one, it's 0-0.