April 13, 2008 MLS Los Angeles Galaxy vs Toronto FC (from MLSnet.com)
04/13/2008 5:28PM
Galaxy stunned at home by TFC
Landon Donovan scores twice for LA in defeat
By Greg Daurio / MLSnet.com Staff
CARSON, Calif. -- The LA Galaxy twice came from behind, yet still went down to defeat for the second time in three games this season, falling 3-2 to Toronto FC on Sunday afternoon at The Home Depot Center.
A pair of goals by Landon Donovan were overshadowed by a number of missed opportunities that could have put the game out of reach early on, and Jeff Cunningham's goal two minutes from the end sealed the Galaxy's fate and gave last year's expansion team their first win on the season.
The game was played under unusually hot weather as the temperature hit highs of 102 degrees on the field. The hot conditions dictated the pace of the game, slowing things down significantly. Still, it was the home team that controlled the lion's share of the possession over the course of the opening 30 minutes, yet their scoring chances were kept to a minimum.
A good early flurry in the opening minutes of the game saw the Galaxy get close. In just the seventh minute, David Beckham curled a ball into the penalty area. The cross was just out of the reach of Alan Gordon, but bounced to the head of Ely Allen, though his effort missed high of the mark.
Two minutes later, Beckham was at it again. On the counter attack Beckham hit an early ball from the right flank, finding Donovan streaking into the area. Donovan hit a shot first time, but it was right at TFC 'keeper Greg Sutton, who punched the ball over the crossbar.
The Galaxy continued to dominate the run of play, and in the 27th minute they failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity. Again the opportunity came from a turnover, and again it was Beckham feeding Donovan. This time the Englishman sprung Donovan on a 40-yard breakaway. As Donovan cut into the box he tried to hit a low shot underneath Sutton, but the Toronto 'keeper got down quickly smothering the effort.
Toronto finally made a threat on the Galaxy goal 32 minutes in. The attack came from a corner kick from newly signed Laurent Robert. Robert found Maurice Edu with his cross, but the U.S. international failed to put his header on frame.
As the half wore on, Donovan seemed to be hexed, as yet another chance went wanting in the 39th minute. The Beckham-to-Donovan link up was again successful in breaking down the Toronto defense, as Beckham fed Donovan, who burst through the Toronto defense and rounded Sutton. This time with an open net, Donovan put his left-footed shot high and wide of the target.
Three minutes later, the game got its first goal. A long hopeful ball was played into the LA penalty area, but Greg Vanney misplayed the clearance, leaving Danny Dichio alone on the doorstep. Dichio made no mistake, burying a shot in the lower corner of the net.
The Galaxy took no time to respond though, equalizing almost directly off the restart. Chris Klein picked out Donovan with a long ball. Donovan settled the pass, juked center back Marco Velez then shot from 20 yards out, beating Sutton inside the back post.
Straight out of the halftime interval, the Galaxy were pushing things in search of the go ahead goal. Donovan picked up a foul in a dangerous spot just moments into the second half to set up Beckham. Beckham lined up the free kick from about 22 yards out, but put it straight into the wall.
Toronto took the lead again in the 53rd minute, again against the run of play. Edu won a free kick from about 35 yards out. Robert hit a rocket shot, forcing a save from Steve Cronin, but the young 'keeper left a rebound. Jarrod Smith pounced on the loose ball and headed home into the empty net for his first MLS goal.
Once again though, the Galaxy wasted no time in hitting for the equalizer. Beckham played a cross into the area intended for Gordon. As Velez was trying to clear the ball, he slipped, and handled the ball in the area. Donovan made no mistake from the spot, blasting his shot past Sutton to even the score at 2-2.
Toronto went close next, as from a free kick, Velez hit a looping header towards the back post, forcing a diving save from Cronin.
Both managers chose to go to their benches at about the hour mark, bringing on attackers. John Carver brought on the speedy Jeff Cunningham for Toronto, while Ruud Gullit introduced Edson Buddle for the first time this season. Cunningham's injection nearly paid immediate dividends as the speedy striker burst through the Galaxy defense. Beckham appeared to tug Cunningham down at the last moment, but no call was forthcoming.
In the 74th minute, Mike Randolph crossed for Donovan and his header was on target, but Sutton made a good diving save to keep the score level.
The Galaxy were still searching for the game winner, and in the 83rd minute, Beckham nearly had it. From about 35 yards out, Beckham took a crack at goal, just barely missing wide of the post.
The Galaxy continued to press and in the 86th minute saw another chance wasted. Beckham crossed the ball in for Donovan, whose header was deflected right to Allen. Allen was less than six yards out, but he took too much time setting up his shot, allowing Velez to swoop in and clear the danger.
The wasted chances proved to be costly as Cunningham gave Toronto the lead in the 88th minute. Robert fed Cunningham, who outmuscled Vanney, went in alone on Cronin, and slotted home a shot into the lower corner of the net.
Buddle had a late chance to equalize in stoppage time, powering though the defense, but his shot missed wide of the mark and the Galaxy were left to rue what might have been.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
Toronto FC (1-2-0) vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (1-2-0) April 13, 2008 -- The Home Depot Center Scoring Summary: TOR -- Danny Dichio 1 (Amado Guevara 1) 42 LA -- Landon Donovan 2 (Chris Klein 1) 43 TOR -- Jarrod Smith 1 (unassisted) 53 LA -- Landon Donovan 3 (penalty kick) 58 TOR -- Jeff Cunningham 1 (Laurent Robert 1) 88 Toronto FC -- Greg Sutton, Marvell Wynne, Tyrone Marshall, Marco Velez, Jim Brennan, Carl Robinson, Maurice Edu, Amado Guevara, Jarrod Smith (Todd Dunivant 73), Laurent Robert (Tyler Rosenlund 91+), Danny Dichio (Jeff Cunningham 65), Substitutes Not Used: Brian Edwards, Tyler Hemming, Julius James Los Angeles Galaxy -- Steve Cronin, Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Mike Randolph, Greg Vanney, David Beckham, Alvaro Pires, Brandon McDonald (Peter Vagenas 77), Ely Allen, Landon Donovan, Alan Gordon (Edson Buddle 68), Substitutes Not Used: Michael Gavin, Troy Roberts, Josh Tudela, Josh Wicks, Abel Xavier Los Angeles Galaxy Toronto FC total shots: 15 (Landon Donovan 6) 10 (Laurent Robert 3) shots on goal: 6 (Landon Donovan 5) 6 (5 tied with 1) fouls: 9 (3 tied with 2) 9 (3 tied with 2) offsides: 3 (3 tied with 1) 7 (Jeff Cunningham 4) corner kicks: 3 (Landon Donovan 2) 3 (Laurent Robert 3) saves: 3 (Steve Cronin 3) 4 (Greg Sutton 4) Misconduct Summary: LA -- Greg Vanney (caution; Professional Foul) 52 referee: Alex Prus Referee's Assistants: Paul Scott; Fabio Tovar 4th official: Jasen Anno time of game: 1:51 attendance: 20,426 weather: Sunny -and- 84 degrees All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial
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