LA Galaxy move on from International Champions Cup

So the LA Galaxy lost in the third place match of the International Champions Cup to AC Milan yesterday. The crowd at Sun Life Stadium did not witness the triumph of plucky Major League Soccer over European snobbery. Now we can all get back to our everyday lives.

I've wrestled with these friendlies for some time now. On the one hand, it's great that the United States has become one of the places (along with Asia and Africa) where European clubs feel comfortable coming to hold pre-season tournaments. On the other hand, coming in the middle of the MLS season every year, it's hard to find the part of me that cares.

While the LA Galaxy were taking on Real Madrid in front of Madrid fans, and AC Milan in front of Milan fans, (a solid number of Galaxy fans turned up at Dodger Stadium for the win over Juventus), FC Dallas was losing 3-0 to Seattle. Portland and Vancouver were playing to a 1-1 draw. Colorado and Salt Lake drew level 2-2.

Thanks to those draws LA will find the Western Conference much like they left it. Involvement in CONCACAF Champions League means the match in hand won't be spent until October. It's not a bad position to return to.

Dallas hasn't earned three points going on nine matches now. A 1-0 victory in May is the last time Dallas fans celebrated a victory. Yet Dallas' hot start has them hanging in there.

It may have been a fun little friendly tournament; a change of pace as the Galaxy folded starters Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, and Omar Gonzalez back into the mix. However, Sunday's tilt with Dallas is a must for all three points. The playoff race begins in earnest on Sunday.