Galaxy 3 Portland Timbers 0

While Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant was flying through the air in this shot, it was Kenny Cooper and the expansion Portland Timbers who got cut down to size Saturday in Carson (AP Photo).

A dominating performance by the Galaxy who had the game all but sewn up inside the first 10 minutes after going up 2-0 and never looked like losing their grip on the game to the visitors from the pacific Northwest.

“To be up two goals in the first 10 minutes of the game is important,” said Coach Bruce Arena, who pronounced the performance a “little sloppy” but “a good win overall.”

Juan Pablo Angel called it the team’s best performance of the season so far.

Stats don’t tell the story of this one: Portland finished with 11 shots to the Galaxy’s 12, but in truth the Galaxy dominated possession and were rarely troubled by the Timbers.

“We knew if we kept the ball on the ground and passed like we know we can pass we’d win the game,” David Beckham said.

And so it came to pass.

Phil Collin has the game story.

Highlights:

Next for the Galaxy: Sunday, May 1 at FC Dallas. Dallas will be without last year’s MLS MVP David Ferrara who broke his ankle today in their 2-1 road win over the Whitecaps.

The Galaxy and the Timbers play a reserve league game at noon on Easter Sunday at the Track & Field Stadium at Home Depot Center. The public is welcome to watch at no charge.