Three points to the LA Galaxy’s 5-3 victory over the Portland Timbers…
GALAXY DP’s LEAD THE WAY TO TURN AROUND EARLY DEFICIT
After conceding a goal in the 3rd minute and weathering a storm into the 15th minute, LA’s designated players responded as the Galaxy tallied four goals in the span of nine minutes. Led by the stellar midfield play of David Beckham, the Galaxy created a series of chances that quickly turned Portland’s 1-0 lead into a 4-1 deficit in a matter of minutes. With Portland cutting the lead to 4-2, it was Robbie Keane, who ultimately put the game away with a clever flick off a Sean Franklin pass that put LA up for good.
By the time that referee Baldomero Toledo blew the whistle for full time, LA’s DP’s accounted for five goals and three assists.
BECKHAM SHINES BRIGHTEST AFTER TUMULTUOUS STRETCH
For all the work of LA’s two other stars, it was Beckham that made the most profound impact in the Galaxy’s 5-3 victory. After enduring a difficult 11-day stretch that saw him not only miss out on the 2012 Olympic Games, but also suspended for two matches, Beckham responded with one of the finest games of his MLS career. With LA reeling early, Beckham tallied a world-class goal in the 19th minute, firing a shot from 25-yards out that curled into the top corner of the Portland net. Minutes later, Beckham would score again, this time off a free kick that blazed past Troy Perkins for LA's second goal.
Beckham put an exclamation point on his performance in the 64th minute, dealing a pinpoint curling pass that found Sean Franklin. But for all of his success on the night, Beckham was forced to leave the game in the 82nd minute just moments after a collision that left him wobbling just moments later.
DONOVAN SCORES 100TH MLS ASSIST; BECOMES SECOND MLS PLAYER IN 100/100 CLUB
In his 273rd appearance in MLS, Landon Donovan tallied his 100th career MLS assist in the 28th minute of play. Breaking down the right flank after dispossessing a Timbers attacker, Donovan fired a cross that Keane easily punched in, putting the Galaxy captain in very exclusive company. With the assist, the Galaxy captain joined D.C. United legend Jaime Moreno as the second player in MLS history to score 100 goals and tally 100th assists.
