Galaxy’s Adam Cristman is back on track

Larry Morgan

CARSON, Calif. – It has been a long, difficult season for the LA Galaxy’s Adam Cristman, and his five-year MLS career hasn’t been much better.

But it looks like the fortunes of the 25-year-old forward finally are changing for the better. He said he feels healthy and is starting to have a noticeable impact on the team’s attack, as evidenced by his goal that broke a scoreless tie in Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over CD Motagua at The Home Depot Center in the opening game of Group A play in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Postgame with Adam Cristman

“It’s been a long go for me,” he admitted after his goal in the 13th minute. “It’s good to feel healthy again and it’s been nice to be in this environment.”

With the game still scoreless in the opening stages, A.J. DeLaGarza was played in on the right flank, behind the Motagua defense before hitting a low cross through the box for Cristman, who slid in to redirect the pass into the net from six yards out, making the score 1-0. The powerful center forward had at least three other solid scoring chances, including one in the 30^th minute when Motagua goalkeeper Donaldo Morales flung himself across the goal to block Cristman’s close range volley, keeping the score 1-0.

That he’s even getting such opportunities is an indication the hard-luck Cristman is back from a three-year period during which he underwent six surgeries for everything from a sports hernia to a broken foot and his knees.

The former MLS Rookie of the Year finalist came to the Galaxy in January from D.C. United in exchange for a first round pick in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft, and it was thought he’d help ease the loss of last season’s leading scorer, Edson Buddle, to Germany.

Cristman, however, suffered another knee injury earlier this season that required surgery and he finally was activated from the disabled list on May 6. He has appeared in five league games since making his season debut on June 3 and has scored one goal, that coming against the Vancouver Whitecaps on July 30, but he quickly has impressed his teammates with his effort.

“He’s a guy who battles for 90 minutes,” Mike Magee said. “He’s so strong up there and he’s such a handful. He holds the ball up, which is good for me because I’m the kind of guy that likes to play underneath and float around a little bit.

“To find that forward who can hold the ball up like he does is great. It makes it so much easier on the entire team.”

Watch: Match Highlights

His goal Tuesday gave him at least one in all of the Galaxy’s competitions this season, ranging from international friendlies (he scored against Real Madrid at the Coliseum) to U.S. Open Cup, MLS Reserve League, MLS regular season and now the CONCACAF Champions League.

“It’s my job, it’s what I’m here for,” he said with a grin. “It’s great to be with this group, play every week and bring something to the team that I think helps a lot.”

Landon Donovan said he couldn’t agree more.

“He’s been great,” he said. “He’s reliable and dependable. You know where he’s going to be and what kind of effort he’s going to give you. He’s put himself in some great positions, and he’s scored some good goals.

“Tonight that goal was really important. He did really well to sort his feet out and get his foot on it, and he’s been a big help to us.”