LA Galaxy 2005 Home Opener goes well with new addition Landon Donovan (4/05)

LA Galaxy vs Real Salt Lake

Date: April 9, 2005

Time: 7pm

 

            The 10^th season of the LA Galaxy got off to a great start as newcomer Landon Donovan scored two goals and assisted on another to help the Galaxy beat expansion team Real Salt Lake 3-1 in front of an excited and cheerful crowd.

            After coming off a 3-0 loss at Columbus, the Galaxy looked like a whole new team with Donovan in his debut at front. Last week he was not in the line-up due to a sickness. It only took half a minute for Donovan to get a touch on the ball. His first shot, in the 9^th minute, was a goal. Following a pass by forward Jovan Kirovski to the top of the goal box, Donovan took one touch and got by Real Salt Lake defender Nelson Akwari with a fake shot. Then Donovan struck a low shot into the bottom right of the goal pass Real goalie D.J. Countess. This was Donovan’s first goal since August of 2004 in Colorado when he was with San Jose. This was also the quickest goal for a debut of an individual. For Real the goal also was doubly painful as midfielder Andy Williams got injured and had to leave the game.

            The Galaxy were definitely in control of the rest of the game as they had more touches and shots. But Real would not give up. They also had many opportunities and in the 29^th minute they scored following a deflection off of Galaxy goalie Kevin Hartman’s fingers. The goal was set up on the left by midfielder Dipsy Selolwane who took a pass from forward Clint Mathis, dribbled it towards the goal, and shot a rocket at the right side of Galaxy goal. Hartman was able to save the shot, however the ball ended up at the feet of a Real captain forward Jason Kreis and he one-timed it into the back of the net.

            It seemed as if the game had now swung in favor of Real, however, whenever Donovan touched the ball, he was able to get to the goal. Real, noticing that Donovan would be a dangerous threat played him very tightly and in the 36^th minute, Akwari was given a yellow card for holding Donovan and at the same time preventing a 1-on-1 between Donovan and Countess. The Galaxy followed Real’s yellow card with one of their own as defender Tyrone Marshall was given a yellow for pulling down Kreis from behind.

            Coming up to the end of half, the Galaxy struck again. The goal again came from Donovan in the 43^rd minute on a deflected cross on the right side from midfielder Guillermo Rameriez. The ball deflected off Real defender Rusty Pierce’s foot and sailed up towards the opposite side of the post. With the ball in the air, Donovan headed the ball into the net muscling out Real defender Matt Behncke for the header. That goal marked the ninth time that Donovan has had a multi-game season.

            The second half started with the Galaxy kicking it off. Within five minutes, the Galaxy had already gotten off two shots from midfielder Cobi Jones and captain and midfielder Peter Vagenas. Both shots, however, sailed out of bounds. The second half of play was dominated by the Galaxy as they got off 10 shots compared to only 2 by Real. To make matters worse for Real, one of those shots went in. Jones was able to shot the ball past a sliding Akwari and put it past the goalie in the 71^st minute. Jones was assisted by none other than Donovan, who’s teams are 21-1-3 when he scores and since his time with San Jose, Donovan’s team has not lost a single match when he is credited with an assist, dating back to 2001.  

            After the game, coach Steve Sampson said at the press conference that he was happier with the result this week.

            “Obviously much better result than last week. Defensivly we played more organized on the field.”

            When commenting on Donovan, Sampson said “I think he showed why we wanted him here and why he’s such a great player and he’s only 89 percent.”

            Donovan, who came back from a short stint on Germany’s Bayern Leverkusen, told to reporters in the locker room that he felt alright. He also appreciated the enormous cheers he got from the fans on his Galaxy debut. In speaking about adjusting to a new team, Donovan said that “training helps a lot. Miscommunication happens with most team, and hopefully with a few more games we can work it out.”

            On the other side, when speaking Real coach John Ellinger felt that in dealing with Donovan, he’s “a different class.” 

            Hopefully Donovan can keep helping the Galaxy win. Next week the Galaxy have no game. Real Salt Lake will be looking to bounce back from tonight’s loss as they play at home against the Colorado Rapids. The game will air on ESPN2 with a game time of 3:00 pm PST. 

 

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