LA Galaxy dominate San Jose Earthquakes 3-0

Carson, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Galaxy convincingly defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 Saturday night, earning a home win over their rivals and maintaining LA's second-place standing in the Western Conference.

The Earthquakes entered the game in eighth place having had an unusually poor season to this point, but they nevertheless came to Southern California looking to win this in-state battle and still keep their playoff hopes alive.

LA controlled the action early, as San Jose failed to threaten offensively.  Meanwhile, LA was busy creating its own chances, the first of which came in the 18th minute of play when Robbie Keane shot past goalkeeper Jon Busch, but wide of goal.

Earlier in the week, Landon Donovan, the Galaxy’s heart and soul of the team, signed a multi-year contract extension that seemingly will keep him in LA for most, if not all, of his playing career.  In the 26th minute, the fans, coaches, and his teammates got the opportunity to serenade Donovan with applause, as Robbie Keane chipped the ball over the defense and left Donovan one-on-one with Busch.  Donovan punched it around him and scored to give LA a 1-0 lead.

In the 30th minute, the 2012 MLS MVP, Chris Wondolowski, almost evened the game for San Jose, but his shot was just a foot wide.

However, in the 43rd minute, LA continued its onslaught, as Donovan led Gyasi Zardes into the 18-yard box with a through ball.  Zardes suddenly stopped and his defender went to the ground.  Zardes then cut back with the ball, and as he went around a San Jose defender, he was tripped and awarded a penalty kick.  Keane converted the penalty -- even though Busch had guessed the correct side -- and LA had a 2-0 lead heading into half.

In the second half, the Galaxy created another opportunity in the 67th minute when Keane played the ball into Marcelo Sarvas in the 18-yard box.  Sarvas played the ball off his chest, rainbow kicked it over the defense, and nearly scored.  However, the play continued and eventually found its way to Sean Franklin on the wing.  Franklin crossed the ball to Keane who one-timed the shot into the corner for a 3-0 LA lead.

San Jose nearly got a goal in the 77th minute of play when a corner-kick made its way through the defense and almost went into goal off a defensive deflection.  Galaxy keeper Jaime Penedo, who didn’t have much work to do in this game, was alert and made the save.

The Galaxy will next face Colorado on September 7th at home with a chance for revenge following their 2-0 loss to the Rapids in July.

By Brian Kowalski
Staff Reporter for The Daily Sports Herald