CARSON, Calif. – Giovani dos Santos is feeling right at home in Los Angeles.
After tallying a goal in his competitive Galaxy debut against Central FC in the CONCACAF Champions League, Dos Santos notched a goal and an assist in his first MLS match, helping LA pick up a 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders FC.
Starting up top alongside former Tottenham Hotspur teammate Robbie Keane, Dos Santos helped the Galaxy erase an early deficit and then tally two goals in the second half. The 26-year-old Mexican international scored in the 64th minute after a lovely through-ball from LA’s Irish captain.
“I feel very happy. I think it was a difficult game. We conceded a very early goal in the first half but I think that the team did a great job and I’m happy for my goal and the team’s victory,” Dos Santos said in the postgame press conference. “Robbie Keane is a great teammate. I am very thankful for the assist and he has always shown me his affection and I am very thankful. It is always a pleasure to play next to him.”
Despite arriving just a week ago, Dos Santos looked comfortable playing up top alongside Keane and combined well with fellow attackers Sebastian Lletget and Gyasi Zardes. Dos Santos picked up the first assist of his MLS career in the 47th minute when he directed an A.J. DeLaGarza cross into the path of Keane for the go-ahead goal. Less than 20 minutes later, Keane returned the favor by delivering a perfect through-ball to Dos Santos, who calmly slotted the ball home, sending the StubHub Center into bedlam.
Minutes after finding the back of the net, Dos Santos received his curtain call as the sell-out crowd offered the new arrival a standing ovation as he was replaced by Alan Gordon. But the 27,000 fans in attendance—many already donning “Giovani No. 10” kits—weren’t the only ones excited by his league debut.
“Well we got three points and he got a goal, so I’m sure he is very happy,” midfielder Steven Gerrard said. “It is no surprise to me because he is a top player and top players are that quick. He settled in really well, seems at home and happy, and I’m sure there are going to be many more magical moments from Gio, so we are very pleased with him.”
Added Keane, “When you score a goal and he got that assist as well, what more do you want from him?”
As satisfied as the Galaxy were with Dos Santos’ performance, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena believes that there is much more still still to come from the Mexican international.
“Dos Santos is going to take a little bit of time but I think already the chemistry with his teammates is good,” said Arena. “He’s going to be a terrific player and I think the next couple of weeks he is going to get full fitness and really fit in well with our team.”
Dos Santos agreed with Arena’s assessment that he still a few weeks away from being fully fit.
“I think it’s true, I’m coming off an injury and obviously as I play more games and in these coming two weeks I am sure I will be in my best form,” Dos Santos told reporters. “I will become fitter with more games and during training and little by little I will be recovering my best level and I it will be better for me and for the team.”
When he is back to full fitness and the Galaxy are running at full steam, Dos Santos expects a bright future for the club.
“I see a lot of possibilities. We can achieve every goal that we want,” Dos Santos said. “We have a great team with a great attitude, great players. We are looking forward to have a great year and hopefully we can win a title.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
