Beckham, Donavan save Galaxy
David Beckham and Landon Donavan have started to click for LA Galaxy.
Beckham set up Donavan for two goals as the Galaxy twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 tie against the two time defending champions Houston Dynamo.
The game moved back and forth as both teams dominated parts of the game. Los Angeles started the game strong and nearly scored in the opening moments. Beckham started an attack that saw Donavan strike just wide from right of the penalty spot after a nicely placed pass from Edson Buddle.
The Galaxy continued to control play in the opening 20 minutes, but were unable to create another quality scoring opportunity. After surviving the initial wave the Dynamo started to enjoy the majority of the possession and the momentum soon shifted.
In the 26th minute Brad Davis nearly beat Galaxy keeper Steve Cronin from just outside the box on with a dangerous free kick. Cronin was able to get his fingertips to the ball and deflect it just enough to have it bang off the crossbar and away from danger.
The Dynamo kept the pressure on as Dwayne De Rosario got free inside the box only to have Cronin stop him from point blank range. After the save, Houston manager Dominic Kinnear showed his anger at the missed chance with a sideline temper tantrum as he kicked the teams water bottles so hard one of them split open - showering the reserve players on the bench.
Houston finally broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. Davis scored from right in front of goal after Brian Ching touched on a nice cross from De Rosario. The ball came to Davis and he drilled it past an out of position Cronin for a 1-0 lead at halftime.
The Galaxy started the second half as they did the first. They looked much sharper and created several chances. Six minutes into the second half Beckham hit a perfect cross to Buddle who struck the ball well but right at goalkeeper Tony Caig.
Beckham came close to scoring three minutes later with a free kick from the left side of the box. Beckham hit one of his famous benders that moved away from the keeper and would have sneaked in if not for De Rosario - who headed the ball off the line.
The Galaxy finally capitalized in the 67th minute scoring a goal that will probably be featured in highlight reels for years to come. Beckham crossed a ball from the right hand side of the box directly onto the head of a diving Donavan who hit it past Caig while completely horizontal. 1-1.
With all the momentum seemingly with Galaxy, Houston then showed why they are the two time defending champions as they retook the lead in the 78th minute. Franco Caraccio scored after Brian Ching hit the post. The ball came out to Caraccio and he buried it into the open net for the 2-1 lead.
It looked as if the Galaxy were destined for defeat but the combination of Beckham and Donavan cashed in once again. Klein got the ball to Beckham on the right side of the box. Beckham took two steps toward the near post drawing the defenders to him and then found Donavan on the back post who tied the game at 2 each in the 84th minute.
