The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated Real Salt Lake, 3-2, at Rio Tinto Stadium on June 20. The win was the second in a row for the Galaxy and the first in Utah in six matches dating back to 2006.
Galaxy captain Landon Donovan was the lone forward in the 4-5-1 our side used against RSL. He had his best match of the season point wise, with two goals and an assist. Mike Magee, back from a suspension, also had a goal and an assist for the Galaxy.
However, for the first 25 minutes it appeared that the Galaxy were headed for another loss. RSL got goals from Kyle Beckerman and Alvaro Saborio with Fabian Espindola assisting on both goals. On the first goal in the 9th minute, Espindola played the ball ahead of himself toward the end line and crossed hard back to the center of the area where Beckerman was waiting to slot it in. In the 24th minute, Espindola collected a loose ball and threw it into the area where Saborio was being marked while making a diagonal run. Saborio got a boot to the ball and it skipped over Josh Saunders who couldn't get his outstretched hand to it.
Then, a gift five minutes after Saborio's strike allowed the Galaxy to get back into the match. A lazy back pass from Tony Beltran allowed Donovan to pounce on the loose ball and score from a difficult angle after stepping around RSL keeper Nick Rimando. Five minutes after the start of the second half, Donovan set up Magee to tie the match after Jamison Olave gave the ball away. From inside the area, Magee hit an impossible shot to stop off the far post and in. Magee got an assist on Donovan's game-winner in the 68th minute. Magee played a long ball forward that Donovan deftly touched past Rimando on the bounce and tapped into the net.
The three consecutive goals given up by RSL at home was shocking but gave our side a well-earned and much needed victory on the road. The comeback win is another step in the right direction for the Galaxy.
More from Patrick Johnston:
Galaxy changed formation against Timbers due to lack of depth
Galaxy rise to No. 15 in Week 15 MLS Power Rankings
Rating Robbie Kean's Euro 2012 using the 'Offensive Match Impact Rating'
Source:
Game information from MLS Soccer.com
