Galaxy Beat Dynamo
The Galaxy won their fourth straight game Sunday for the first time since May 2005, beating the Houston Dynamo 2-1 on the road in a come-from-behind victory that kept their flickering playoff hopes alive.
It was a game that likely even had Chivas USA fans cheering as the Galaxy did their intrastadium rivals a favor. The win allowed Chivas USA to remain in sole possession of the Western Conference lead.
Things hadn't started well when former Galaxy striker Nate Jaqua struck first for Houston (where he has rediscovered his shooting touch) after Pete Vagenas inexplicably failed to cut out a Joseph Ngwenya cross. Jacqua now has six goals this season for the Dynamo after scoring just one during his time in Carson.
But then Honduran Carlos Pavon, doing his best Pando Ramirez impression, apparently, actually found the net with a glorious volley from a Landon Donovan pass just before half time. It was only his fourth goal in 15 MLS games for the Galaxy.
Gavin Glinton, rapidly emerging as the Galaxy's super sub, sealed the victory in the 77th minute.
Here's the box score.
The win means the Galaxy leapfrog the Rapids in the playoff race, (at least temporarily since Colorado plays Toronto later this afternoon) are one point behind the Columbus Crew and are six points behind Chicago, which occupies the eighth and final playoff place.
Wonder when the last time was the Galaxy sat as high as 10th place in MLS?
Full game details here.
Updated 8:45 a.m. Monday: The Daily Breeze story with quotes and context is here.
The Dyanamo believed they deserved to win.
About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
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