Galaxy Short an Expected Star as Campos Doesn’t Show Up

Goalkeeper Jorge Campos was a no-show Sunday, just as the rest of the Galaxy players have been most of the season.

The flamboyant keeper ignored repeated requests to rejoin the team, relaying a message through his agent that he might do so Tuesday. If he feels like it.

And because no one at Major League Soccer headquarters in New York or with the Galaxy apparently has the power or confidence to demand otherwise, Campos stayed in Mexico. Or wherever he is. On vacation.

And the Galaxy stayed mired in last place in the Western Conference, despite a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew at the Rose Bowl.

There were a few other no-shows too. The attendance was announced as 13,196, which means fans have largely deserted the team.

Last season, the Galaxy averaged a league-high 28,916 per game. The team opened this season with a crowd of 53,147, but has averaged 12,244 in the four games since then.

Not that the absent fans are missing much.

Sunday’s game was another turgid affair, featuring the usual cast of headless chickens running around in search of who knows what. Skill, with the single exception of Brad Friedel’s performance in goal for Columbus, was noticeably absent.

The Galaxy should have taken the lead in the opening minute when a back-pass by Crew defender Mike Clark was intercepted by Eduardo Hurtado. Friedel, the U.S. national team goalkeeper who, unlike some, does show up for games, raced out to challenge Hurtado.

That was enough to cause the former star from Ecuador to carry the ball wide instead of shooting. And when Huratado did finally cross the ball back in to Welton, the defense had had time to regroup and the Brazilian forward’s shot was blocked.

Hurtado made a complete mess of another shot in the 19th minute, slicing it wide right, and was booed. After that, he disappeared for the night.

The boos were even louder when the teams walked off the field at halftime. It was a fair commentary on the evening’s performance.

The Columbus offense was virtually nonexistent, managing only seven shots to 23 by the Galaxy. That meant that former UCLA goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, given his first MLS start in place of David Kramer, had little to do in the Galaxy nets.

The Galaxy got one good shot off with about 20 minutes to play when Steve Jolley got behind the Crew defense and crossed to Harut Karapetyan, but Friedel dived to his left to turn Karapetyan’s fierce shot around the goal post.

Friedel was less fortunate in the 81st minute. Chris Armas made a fine pass to Cobi Jones, who fired a low shot from 12 yards that Friedel managed to partially deflect, only to see the ball strike the inside of the left post and roll in.

It was Jones’ first goal of the season.

And when the final whistle sounded, it marked the first time the Galaxy has won back-to-back games this year.

Even so, Campos’ absence was the focus of attention.

Danny Villanueva, the Galaxy’s president and general manager, was left to fend off questions faster than Campos blocks shots.

Had he spoken to Campos?

“No, no one can reach him,” Villanueva said. “I have probably six numbers for Jorge, and he wasn’t at any one of them. I placed probably 20 or 25 calls down to Mexico. I still don’t know where he is.”

Campos’ agent, Jorge Barnard, was available, but all he would tell Galaxy and MLS officials in New York was that Campos wanted a break after the end of the Mexican season. He said his client would return to Los Angeles on Tuesday.

It is unlikely that Campos will be fined or even disciplined. In a league crying out for stars, it does not do to anger one as bright as the Mexican keeper.