Goal of the Year: Marcelo Sarvas at San Jose Earthquakes

WHO: Marcelo Sarvas

WHEN: Saturday, June 29

WHERE: at San Jose Earthquakes – Stanford Stadium

WHAT: Games between the Galaxy and Earthquakes are always high-octane affairs and the last two games at Stanford Stadium have helped to push the rivalry to new levels. Twelve goals have been scored between the two teams in those two games, but none illustrated LA’s dynamic passing ability than Marcelo Sarvas’ first half finish on June 29.

The opening 15 minutes of the game had been devoid of any clear cut chances, but as the opening half wore on, the Galaxy began to open up the San Jose defense. Landon Donovan tested Jon Busch from distance and then Robbie Rogers was nearly the beneficiary of a Busch error. But those chances would only serve to set the stage for Marcelo Sarvas’ 20^th minute opener.

In a span of just 24 seconds, seven of the 11 Galaxy players on the field touched the ball as LA worked from one penalty area to the other in order to take a 1-0 lead. Carlo Cudicini began the attack with a short pass forward to the feet of Omar Gonzalez, who quickly played a square ball to the feet of right back Sean Franklin. Franklin found Robbie Keane open near the midfield stripe, allowing the Irishman to turn and begin running at the San Jose defense. Keane played the ball forward for Gyasi Zardes, who then found Landon Donovan open on the right flank. He dribbled toward the corner of the penalty area before clipping a pass to Keane on the edge of the box. Letting the ball run across his body, Keane used his left foot to volley the pass toward the penalty spot for the on-rushing Sarvas, who beat Justin Morrow to the ball and used the outside of his left foot to beat Busch, putting the Galaxy in front.

To see the rest of the candidates for LA Galaxy Goal of the Year, go to LAGalaxy.com/GOTY.