Galaxy Cut Down The Timbers, 3-0

Carson, CA -- After a three game road swing, the Los Angeles Galaxy came back to the Home Depot Center and did not disappoint their fans, earning a comfortable 3-0 win Saturday night over the expansion Portland Timbers.

With the return of David Beckham and Juninho from suspension, as well as Landon Donovan from injury, the Galaxy enjoyed their full arsenal of midfielders against Portland.  As a result, the Galaxy shredded the Timbers up the middle of the field and produced an ample amount of chances in the first twenty minutes of the game.

The Galaxy's first goal came early following a string of beautiful passes in which all three midfielders touched the ball.  Soon after forward Chad Barrett ended up with the ball and drove it hard and low to the left side of Timbers’ goalkeeper Troy Perkins in the 4th minute. From the replay it appeared that the ball did touch Barrett’s arm before he struck it. However, there was no doubting the finish.

The second goal came on the subsequent attack in the 8th minute, when Landon Donovan was pulled in the penalty box while trying to receive a pass.

This play also was quite controversial, as it appeared that Timbers' defender Rodney Wallace pulled Donovan just prior to entering the penalty box. On the ensuing penalty kick, Donovan slotted the ball to the left side of the goal, giving Troy Perkins no chance. Donovan would end up with 2 goals and an assist for the game. Wallace was given a yellow card for the offense.

To Perkins’ credit, his tremendous display of goalkeeping prevented the Timbers from falling behind by at least two or three more goals. Among the many scoring threats that he faced, Perkins saved two shots from Barrett in the 14th and 18th minute.

Unfortunately for Perkins, by the time Portland settled down defensively, LA was comfortably ahead with a two-goal lead that they took into halftime.

After the half, Donovan then capped off his brilliant night with a header in the 67th minute off a pass by Juan Pablo Angel. Angel entered the game at halftime.

With the win, the Galaxy improved to 4-1-3, and will face FC Dallas on the road on May 1.  Portland fell to 2-3-1 after previously winning two straight at home. The Timbers next host Real Salt Lake on April 30.

By Christian Siagian
Contributing Writer for TheDailySportsHerald.com