Galaxy score first win at Houston since 2010

Giovani dos Santos (right) is expected to return from a left quad strain while Steven Gerrard (left) will be out with a left calf strain.

Steven Gerrard and Giovani dos Santos starred in the Galaxy’s 4-1 win over Houston on Friday. Photo by Steve McCrank // Daily Breeze

Giovani dos Santos and Steven Gerrard led the L.A. Galaxy to a dominant 4-1 road victory over Houston on Friday with dos Santos notching a brace and Gerrard adding an assist in his first action since injuring his calf almost a month ago. The win is the first in Houston for the Galaxy since 2010.

Highlights from the match:

After Houston jumped ahead in the first minute off a short corner kick, dos Santos contributed to all four of the Galaxy’s goals. He scored in the fourth minute off a defensive miscue from Houston and tacked on another in the 31st minute off a picture perfect pass from Gerrard. In the 21st minute, dos Santos sent a chip shot toward Houston goalkeeper Joe Willis that eventually found Baggio Husidic in the box. Willis pushed the shot away, but it fell directly to Husidic, who scored on the rebound. Gyasi Zardes scored the final goal after dos Santos played a ball to Sebastian Lletget down the right side in the 49th minute. Lletget fed a low cross into the box for Zardes’ one-touch finish.

“I’m happy because the win of the team,” dos Santos told reporters after the game. “I’m happy for me personally because of the two goals. I worked hard today for the team and I will keep working to get better.”

Still not over this tbh. https://t.co/sflgUmqkKe #HOUvLA https://t.co/UwuqRsZJk1

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) April 16, 2016

Dos Santos played his first full 90-minute game of the MLS season after he injured his left quad in the season opener. He returned to the field last week against Portland, but showed signs of rust. Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena told reporters earlier this week that the best is still ahead for dos Santos.

“It’s going to take some time, but he’s working hard,” Arena said after the game. “I think if we can get him some consistent games over the next month or two he’s going to get himself into good form.”

The Galaxy got their first MLS win away from StubHub Center since last August’s victory over FC Dallas. In its first three away games of the season, L.A. has four points and came within seconds of getting a fifth, losing 1-0 on a stoppage-time goal to Colorado. L.A. went 2-9-6 on the road last season.

“This year we want to prove to everyone that we’re not only a strong team, but out of StubHub Center we’re capable of showing character and fight and desire on the road,” Gerrard said. “I think you’ve seen that in abundance tonight.”