Galaxy Return to Winning Ways With 1-0 Win

Taking a break from Euro 2012 and from a fantastic NBA Finals, it was time to watch a champion try to regain their championship form. No, I am not talking about Tiger Woods who stumbled in the last 36 holes but the LA Galaxy.

It’s been a long stretch for the Galaxy faithful. Seven games without a victory. Games that they should have won, wasted by defensive lapses or an inability to convert the finishing touches. But the Galaxy were at near full force (sans Robbie Keane who was participating in the Euro Cup) for this home game and although they had not won at home since April 14, they were facing the same team that had fallen to them, the Portland Timbers.

The game started with fireworks in the 2nd minute of play as a clever cross by Sean Franklin found Marcelo Sarvas in front of the net with only the keeper to beat and somehow headed straight into the keeper. In the 7th minute, the returning Josh Saunders made a spectacular save from a smash inside the box. At first, the flag had gone up for offsides but play didn’t stop. In any case, Saunders was there to keep the ball from getting by.

Also returning to the lineup was Landon Donovan and he made his presence felt in the 14th minute with a shot from just outside the box. Donovan put some mustard behind the shot but it conked off the right post denying the Galaxy the lead. In the 25th minute, a sweet shot by Timbers forward Kris Boyd from well outside the box nearly found the bottom left corner but was diverted by Josh Saunders fingertips. Outstanding shot but even better goal keeping by Saunders. In the 56th minute, again Donovan with good shot from just outside the box. The ball just sailed over the hands of Timbers’ keeper Troy Perkins and over the crossbar.

Todd Dunivant was able to put the Galaxy ahead in the 61st minute. A corner that was delivered by David Beckham found Dunivant near the right post and he was able to head it home just past Perkins who had halted his run when Donovan cut in front of his path. Perkins complained to the ref thinking he was fouled in the play and he received a yellow card for the outburst. In the 71st minute, a free kick was awarded to the Galaxy a few feet outside the box and who else but David Beckham to strike it. His shot on goal got through the defensive wall and just went wide left of the goal.

This Fathers’ Day was a victorious one for the LA Galaxy. It may not have been a dominating victory but a victory nonetheless. Far from spectacular but efficient and sufficient to get them 3 points and climb themselves out of the cellar in the Western Conference. 14 games into the season and the Galaxy have only accumulated 14 points. The season is far from over and with their next couple of games versus conference rivals it is vital to rack up some Ws to catch up. With Saunders back to defend between the poles and Donovan back from his stint with the national team, this Galaxy team is poised to make a run before the season is over.

Their next match is on Wednesday when they visit Real Salt Lake. We will have a better idea of where this team is headed after they face the Western Conference leaders.