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Galaxy midfielder David Beckham celebrates his first half goal with teammate Eddie Lewis. Photo by AP
Chivas USA 'keeper Zach Thornton made several outstanding point blank saves on Sebastien Le Toux, Steve Zakuani, Fredy Montero and Nate Jaqua to help preserve the draw for the red-and-whites, but there was little else to write home about. The red-and-whites struggled in the midfield from the onset, consistently struggling to retain possession or thread passes together and enter the offensive third. Seattle was only a bit better, managing to generate a few offensive opportunities that led to Thornton's saves.
Changes in the lineups through substitutions did little to change the game or generate more chances for either side. It wasn't until after Saragosa's ejection that either side began to gain a clear advantage. Seattle leveraged its man advantage to pressure the Chivas USA defense, but despite a few shaky moments, Thornton's saves and the back four were able to hold on through the end for the 0 - 0 draw.
Down in Carson, the evening may have been cool, but play was red hot.
Defender Sean Franklin was back on the pitch after missing most of the season due to injury and helped the defense overcome the 6 - 3 embarrassment from last week. The blue-and-gold took it to Toronto from the start, controlling much of the pace and setting the tone throughout.
Landon Donovan nearly opened the scoring at the 6th minute off of a great through ball from Beckham, but Toronto 'keeper Stefan Frei made a solid save to keep Donovan off the score sheet. Only a handful of minutes later, Beckham would open the scoring on a great attacking run that saw the English International dribble past two Toronto defenders before burying it into the back of the net.
Frei would deny Donovan again from close range at the 25th minute after a Beckham free kick out in the flank as the blue-and-gold continued to pressure. Beckham would later hit the post, after a great shot from distance, but the ball would stay out, denying the Galaxy an opportunity to extend the league.
For their part, the Reds tried to battle back, but it wasn't until the 31st minute when they got their first quality chance. Newly signed Designated Player Julian De Guzman helped generate the play for the Reds, but Galaxy 'keeper Donovan Ricketts was equal to the challenge, making a great save with his foot on the resulting close range shot by Ali Gerba at the end of De Guzman's play. The Canadian side continued to pressure at the start of the second half, hitting the cross bar at the 48th, but never threatened for long.
The Galaxy regained control and nearly extended the lead on multiple occasions, but it wasn't until the 83rd minute that Edson Buddle was able put another one past Frei. It came by way of Beckham who had a great game overall and only minutes earlier had missed a great opportunity of his own. He would win a ball down the right flank and carried it deep into Toronto territory before sending a ball to Donovan near the penalty spot. A one touch pass from Donovan to his left released Buddle who then buried it for the final score of 2 - 0.
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