The Galaxy’s Donovan Ricketts preserved the Galaxy win with two vital second half saves against the Union including this one (AP Photos).
If ever there was a game where a clearly tired Galaxy needed to put their heads down and grind out a win to retake the lead in the MLS standings this was it.
Transcontinental trek aside, not so fresh off a tough derby, LA did the bare minimum necessary to secure three valuable points with home games against Colorado and the Rapids remaining in the regular season.
The Galaxy scored the 27th minute winner from an Edson Buddle header off a David Beckham corner.
Then they hung on for the victory.
Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts did his part with two vital saves a minute or so apart in the second half including denying a crafty initial between the legs flick by Sebastien Le Toux that seemed a certain equalizer.
Landon Donovan could have made things easier on the Galaxy had he not missed a second half breakaway with only the goalkeeper to beat, but in the end it didn’t matter.
Palos Verdes Estates’ Kyle Nakazawa, right, the Union’s rookie midfielder out of UCLA, won’t soon forget coming on as a first half sub and finding himself coming up against David Beckham.
Fred will remember this game for taking a Juninho elbow to the head that left rivulets of blood streaming down his head (all in vivid hi def) in the first half.
Buddle will remember this game for setting a career-high mark in goals (16).
And Beckham will remember Philadelphia as the city where he was serenaded with a loud chant of “Beckham’s a wanker” I’m sure ESPN was thrilled to hear from the Union’s SOB’s (Sons of Ben) on the telecast.
But at least Beckham and company were not losers tonight and that’s all the Galaxy care about as they head home for a deserved few days off while awaiting Colorado’s Oct. 16 visit.
You think Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena wants beautiful football at this stage of the season? Nah. he wants four wins in the last five games. And that’s what he got.
Game story from a Philadelphia perspective here.
Highlights:
