“Some things happen on the field that you wouldn't expect to see in a friendly,” the former Socceroo said.

“It was competitive. We as Australians always play hard but we don't play dirty. So I wasn't too pleased with that.”

Harmse was involved in a heavy tackle on Sydney's star Juninho in the first half that got him a yellow card.

His second yellow followed a scuffle and what appeared on the TV replays to be standing on the arm of Sydney's Adam Biddle.

“LA probably didn't want the match too match – they were probably quite tired in the end but I'm sure they would've had a good time here in Sydney,” added Popovic.

The former Crystal Palace skipper also denied that Sydney was a dull team following criticism by some after last Sunday's dire 0-0 draw with Roar at the football stadium.

“We are trying to play like that in the A-League,” said Popovic of the free-flowing football against Galaxy. “We have instructions from Kossie [coach John Kosmina] to move the ball forward, interchange and overlap.

“These are all things he tells us every game. It is more open in friendly games, and as you know in league competitions around the world, that doesn't always happen.”