CARSON, Calif. -- LA Galaxy head coach addressed reporters following LA's 4-1 victory over D.C. United.
Check it out below.
(On the play of Landon Donovan tonight and the last few games...)
"Landon is obviously committed to completing his career in the right manor, his leadership and quality tonight was terrific, what more can you say. He has been a great one, his attitude has been terrific over the last two or three weeks after his announcement. We are really happy for him, and certainly he has been an important part of our success over the last couple months."
(On Alan Gordon rejoining the Galaxy...)
ARENA: "He is an improved player from the last time we saw him at the Los Angeles Galaxy, his experiences in San Jose were good, he is a good player. I thought he and (Gyasi) Zardes worked very well together tonight, for the first time, they had never played with each other, I think that was a real positive. I think Alan has two goals in the last three games, that is all good stuff."
(On the first half tonight...)
ARENA: "We played well, I thought DC United came out real hard, put a lot of pressure on us in the middle third of the field, it was a little difficult in the early going, but once we got the ball moving a little bit better we were able to create some chances. Obviously the first goal is big again and then the goal right before half was critical. I am at fault for telling them to take their foot of the gas a little bit in the second half because we wanted to avoid any injuries, and that wasn't easy. A couple guys got clipped and it could have set them back, but we wanted to make sure we didn't exert to much energy so we can have enough gas left in the tank to play Sunday, and I think that was accomplished, our guys will be ready to go."
(On the play of Leonardo and if he's a liability...)
ARENA: "There couldn't be a more inaccurate statement than to say that he's a liability. He's a center back in statistically the best defense in the league. He's been pretty good."
(On the defense only allowing three shots on goal tonight...)
ARENA: "We played well, and were fortunate, I think they created some good chances, but you know we played well. Our back line has played very well. Eddie Johnson was a handful tonight, he is a good player. DC United had some of the same issues we had coming into this game, they have an important game on Sunday, they need to travel back across country. We tweaked the lineup a little bit, we gave (Dan) Gargan a rest tonight, but our line has played well all year, it has been a really good year to date for them. Omar is playing well, I think this was Todd's first 90 minute game, since, maybe, March, so it has been a long time, it is good to get him back in. It was a combination of these things, but our entire group of players have been involved in the back line, and our midfield effort we are getting out of Juninho and Marcelo defensively has been outstanding job there, so it is a collective effort by our guys."
