Halftime Hype

No Thierry Henry. No problem. The New York Red Bulls strolled into Los Angeles and earned a 2-0 shutout of the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center, ending the Galaxy's three game unbeaten streak.

However, what is even more important than the final score is the atmosphere. For once, the hype surrounding a MLS game materialized. Finally, rather than feeling like a match in an inferior league, the game had a vibe filled with intensity. This is what soccer is supposed to feel like.

Being involved with sports and having lived in Los Angeles my entire life, I have seen games of all L.A. sports team besides the NHL's Kings and if you count them, the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim." From firsthand experience, I can say that, for the most part, the best atmosphere belongs to a Lakers game at Staples Center. On a night like this one, though, the L.A. Galaxy were the Lakers of the MLS - with just as much excitement in the crowd as at a Lakers game.

Sure, the Supporters' Section and Riot Squad are present at every home game. Yes, they are always quite literally drumming up support. But, unlike most MLS games, the Home Depot Center was hosting a sold-out crowd. Never mind that the L.A. Galaxy's Omar Gonzalez, Gregg Berhalter, and the Red Bulls' Henry were missing. The 27,000 fans in attendance were hooting and hollering the entire evening.

At every game there are always passionate and knowledgeable fans asserting their thoughts (example: "C'mon so-and-so, tighten the back line"). In addition to having plenty of those types of fans in attendance, I sat next to the ultimate soccer type: a witty Englishmen, who always had something funny to say, albeit with a few curse words in between.

Among the many humorous things he shared:
"My son is better than you - and he's pretty bad"
"Forget club, you can't even ref AYSO"
To the Galaxy's goalkeeper, Donovan Ricketts: "Ricketts, if I had a daughter she would marry you"
"There's a spot for you on Liverpool. You can play for England."

The Galaxy's match against the Columbus Crew on September 11 had a great vibe, too. After each and every one of the Galaxy's three goals were scored, the moments that ensued were somewhat surreal - the loud, celebratory music blasting while hugging and jumping up and down with the fans next to you.

Despite all that, though, the game versus the Red Bulls was just something else even if the Galaxy didn't score a single goal. Nothing can compare to the buzz during tonight's match; loud and continuous chants alongside the constant battering of thunder-sticks at a MLS game is a rarity - and a special treat at that.

This kind of intensity is exactly what American soccer needs. If it can continue to hype up rivalries and boast some big-name players here and there, the interest will only continue to skyrocket. It's crazy to think that about how exciting the atmosphere was when this was, in reality, just another regular season game. Imagine the intensity of a MLS Cup Final!