Galaxy Post-Game

The Galaxy may have lucked out when San Jose's early strike was disallowed (it was certainly a close offside call), took full advantage of a defensive gaffe for the first goal and caught the Earthquakes out with an excellently worked break for the second.

But no-one used words like luck after the game.

"It allows us to write off the Colorado game," said relieved midfielder Chris Klein.

Coach Ruud Gullit was perhaps the most voluble I've seen him after the game, uncharacteristically heaping praise on such young players as Ely Allen and Palmdale's Sean Franklin.

"I was extremely happy with Sean," Gullit said. "He was really, really good. He has composure on the ball, he's quick and he checks forward."

Gullit also defended the work rate of Alan Gordon, who was the subject of unhappiness from the crowd for his finishing (or lack thereof).

David Beckham scored his first MLS goal - his free kick last season came in SuperLiga - but was more interested in talking about the improved team performance.

"What changed is our positional play," he said. "In the first game we were all over the place."

Landon Donovan clearly relished playing with someone like Beckham who has the same speed of thought and touch he does on the ball.

"We understand the game the same way and we see the game the same way so it makes it easier," he said.

Finally, Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon and Donovan may be good friends, but not on the field.

"(I was) bummed out for Joe," Donovan said of the goal. "But stay on his line next time."

Updated:
Game details here.