PASADENA, Calif. -- The result wasn't what the LA Galaxy wanted by any stretch of the imagination, but the crowd of 86,432 was reason to smile.
The Galaxy's crowd of nearly 90,000 for their 7-0 Chevrolet Cup defeat to English powerhouse Manchester United was the sixth largest crowd in U.S. club soccer history. Although his team fell in a disappointing loss, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena was amazed by the crowd.
“I think that the crowd was great. I have nothing but the greatest respect for the show that Man U put on," said Arena. "A bunch of guys out there fighting for jobs and it looked that way. First half I don’t think was a 3-0 game but being as professional as they are and the quality that they had they punished us on every mistake. So it’s a good lesson for all players…certainly the second half was a bit of the same.
However, Galaxy captain Robbie Keane took a different view stating that it was embarrassing to lose so convincingly in front of such a large crowd.
"Losing 7-0…no chance," said Keane when he asked if it was fun to play in front of a large crowd. "I felt like it [would be better] if it was only five people left to see that instead of [80,000-plus], but we have to move on, simple as that."
But United midfielder Juan Mata was impressed by the crowd that supported United in droves.
"It was unbelievable. It was crazy," said Mata. "We are so grateful."
