CARSON, Calif. – Manchester United head coach Jose Mourinho understood that his mission and that of LA Galaxy manager Curt Onalfo were the same for Saturday’s exhibition at StubHub Center.
A sell-out crowd took in the match that saw United defeat the Galaxy 5-2 in a match that saw frequent changes as both teams used different squads each half. Giovani dos Santos notched a brace for Los Angeles who will now turn their focus to Wednesday’s league match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Although the score line clearly favored the English squad, the legendary Portuguese head coach said that there was no reason to put much stock into a game that was simply a training exercise for both teams.
"I think they just got the opportunity to play against better players and a better team. The coach didn't play to win he played to give the experience to his players, he played like us,” Mourinho said. “In our case preseason and in their case just a midseason opportunity to play against better players and to enjoy that.
“Obviously in the second half, they had players with some more experience and better quality. The team was more difficult to beat. Was better competition than in the first half. I think the 5-2 for us means exactly the same as a 2-5 for them. We really don't care. The coach is the same smart guy the important match to win is on Wednesday against Vancouver. It was a good training session I thank him for that and I thank the Galaxy players for the competition they gave us.”
