Galaxy Post-Game Quotes (and a Beckham Update)

AP Photo

Landon Donovan makes it 2-1 against D.C. United from the spot Sunday. Despite the penalty call, replays showed there was no hand ball, though.

Reporter Phil Collin kindly sent along some extra quotes from Coach Bruce Arena and Landon Donovan after the 2-2 draw against D.C. United today at Home Depot Center.

Here's Donovan on the overall performance:

"As time went on we had to be more urgent and we did a pretty good job of that. For having a lot of young guys on the field I thought we did a good job of just putting the ball in dangerous areas so that guys could make plays."

On how he's adjusting to MLS after playing sparingly in Germany:

"I'm continuing to get sharper and more aware in every second of the game so that at any moment the right service comes, a ball gets knocked down, a play breaks up I'm ready for it. That's kind of what happened on the second goal. I took a chance and just made a run into a good spot and the ball got there."

On how the rookies played:

"For the most part Omar and A.J. did very well. Kyle came in and did a very good job to make a difference and he did it last week in Phoenix and he just gave us a spark. Omar, he got beat on a header that led to the first goal. He's got to know that when he goes up with his size and ability he needs to win. Other than that I thought he played very well."

Here's Arena's assessment of Donovan:

"He was quiet at times. The penalty kick helped him. He was dangerous in particular the second half. He did quite well playing the midfield in the last 15 minutes of the game. Landon's going to get better. He's not where he needs to be right now. His tenure in Germany was good but he didn't play enough. His fitness has to get a little better and he has to get a little sharper on the ball.

Arena had this short verdict of Sean Franklin's first game at right back):

"OK. He's almost a rookie basically. His first MLS game as a right back. He needs more experience. He's a young kid with a lot of potential, but he's got a long way to go."

Arena's view of A.J. DeLaGarza:

"I think he did very well. That position is new to him obviously. Because of some of the injuries we've suffered that decision to play him there was made over the last week. He's done well. He's a good smart player. He's a player with a good future.

Highlights:

Finally, Arena on the overall performance:

"Actually for the most part I thought the first half we played well. We had that breakdown right at the end of the first half. I didn't like the way we came out in the first 15 minutes (of the second half) but thoroughly enjoyed our commitment to get back in the game in the last 30 minutes. We can be better in every area ... It's going to be hard to fully assess our team until we get all our players on the field. So far it's OK. It's certainly not good enough, but it's OK at this point."

AP Photo

The Galaxy's David Beckham acknowledges the crowd after today's AC Milan game against Napoli.

Updated: David Beckham's AC Milan drew 0-0 with Napoli today and he was also called up into the England squad for the friendly against Slovakia Saturday; England also play Ukraine April 1 in a World Cup qualifier.