Major League Soccer

Donovan And Kirovski Lead Galaxy To Win

Landon Donovan and Jovan Kirovski each scored to lead Los Angeles to a 2-1 victory over New England.

Aug 8, 2009 11:10:11 PM

MLS: Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy (ISI)

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MLS: Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy (ISI)

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FOXBORO, Mass - A large crowd turned out in Foxboro, Mass to see the hometown New England Revolution take on David Beckham, Landon Donovan and the Los Angeles Galaxy. Unfortunately for Revolution fans, it would be the visitors who came out on top, 2-1.

A first half strike from Donovan and another just after the break from Jovan Kirovski would be enough for the Galaxy to claim all three points, but not without some tense moments near the end of the match.

The visitors came in missing two key components up front. Edson Buddle and Aleko Eskandarian were both out of action with injuries. But Kirovski and Alan Gordan turned out to be a fine partnership for the night and did well to cover the losses.

New England came into the match as healthy as they've been all season. Shalrie Joseph was in the starting eleven along with Steve Ralston and Edgaras Jankauskas, giving the Revs a one of the most experienced lineups they have been able to field in a long while. The home side would have to do without manager Steve Nicol however. The longtime boss was serving the first of a two match ban after being shown his marching orders against Toronto.

First Half

No time was wasted in getting this tie moving. In just the first minute a ball from Eddie Lewis found Donovan drifting in behind the Revolution defense. Donovan had a clear crack at goal, and probably should have had L.A. in front, but Revolution 'keeper Matt Reis was in the right spot to make the save.

New England came close just five minutes later. After defender Kevin Alston was fouled in a good position, Steve Ralston whipped in a freekick that troubled the Galaxy. The ball drifted to the back post, but communication between Joseph and winger Kenny Mansally broke down. Where it seemed as though both had a chance to score, neither took control and the ball bounced harmlessly away from the goal.

Alston would be involved again in the 13th. A ball from Joseph found the streaking defender in behind, but his shot was hurried and pushed over the bar, keeping the score level.

With both sides pushing hard for a goal it was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken, and Donovan made sure it was done is style.

In the 21st New England defender Darrius Barnes failed to clear a ball out of the back and instead sent it high and to the top of the box. Donovan, unmarked, took the shot on first time with his left foot and bent it perfectly into the back upper corner, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Being down a goal New England began to throw numbers forward in search of the equalizer. Mansally had a good look in the 23rd after some nice work from Jankauskas set him up but his shot was high of the mark.

In the 29th a great bit of combination play between Jay Heaps, Mansally, Kheli Dube, and Ralston was foiled by Gregg Berhalter just in front of goal. And in the 35th Mansally's cross nearly found Ralston alone just in front of goal, but the veteran midfielder couldn't get the final touch that was needed.

The match would go to the break with the visitors clinging to a 1-0 lead, but with both sides still very much in the running.

Second Half

It took L.A. on seven minutes after the break to extend their lead. Again it was Lewis serving in a ball from the left that caught Reis in no-man's land. Gordon was there to challenge and did just enough to have the ball pop free to his strike partner Kirovski. With Reis still out of his net, but scrambling to get back in position, Kirovski wasted no time in putting his shot on frame and giving the Galaxy a 2-0 lead.

Despite being up two goals the visitors kept pushing for more. Twice Kirovski had a chance to push the lead to three, and once Donovan had a golden look from inside the box. But the chances were wasted, and by the final quarter of an hour the Revolution were in control of play and pushing to find some goals.

A mad scramble in the box in the 78th minutes very easily could have led to the first. After a freekick was punched into the air by Galaxy 'keeper Donovan Ricketts no less than three Revolution players managed to get a touch on it inside the six. But the Galaxy defense was just as tenacious and the ball was finally sent clear of the box after what seemed like an eternity of pin-balling dangerously in front of the net.

Just as it seemed the Galaxy would escape unharmed a through ball from Heaps found Mansally turning in the box. Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez was a step late and brought the Gambian down, giving New England a penalty and the lifeline they were searching for.

Steve Ralston stepped in and confidently put the shot in the net, and with just seven minutes remaining of the 90 the home side was back in the match.

New England pushed desperately in closing minutes sending ball after ball into the Galaxy area only to have Berhalter and Gonzales win every aerial battle. But one more chance would come.

A long throw from Barnes found Wells Thompson, who flicked on to Mansally, who was in the middle of the goal six yards out, but the winger blasted his best chance of the night well over, sealing the victory and all three points for Los Angeles.

Allen Ramsey, Goal.com

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