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Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle Set Off Firework Display In Homecoming
Juninho gets his first MLS career goal.
Jul 5, 2010 3:00:00 AM
By Jonathan Vera
CARSON, Calif. -- It was America’s birthday Sunday night and the Los Angeles Galaxy celebrated with fireworks and a victory over the Seattle Sounders, thrashing them 3-1 in front of a sold-out crowd. The goals came from Edson Buddle and Juninho.
“I was very happy to score my first goal here and to show everyone what I came to do,” said Juninho, who struck a wonder goal to double LA's lead in the opening minutes of the second half. “I have hit goals like that before in practice and I decided to try it.”
Buddle, along with Landon Donovan, were in South Africa representing the United States in the World Cup. However, Buddle did not get much playing time while away from the Galaxy.
“He was a little bit disappointed not to play more in South Africa,” said Donovan. “But it says a lot about him that he was able to come back, put it all behind him and just get on with it.”
The last time the pair played in the MLS was back on May 15 in their farewell match against Toronto FC, a match that ended in a goal-less draw. Back then Buddle led the league with nine goals. The lead held throughout his absence and tonight he extended it to hit double digits.
“It’s one of my goals,” said Buddle. “Small, very small goal I want to achieve, and I want to continue to do the same.
“The sharpness of [my] game is missing, because I haven’t played in a while. I think as time goes on and I get more games I should be sharper.”
Buddle may not have been as sharp as a knife, yet the goal still came. “[The goal] means a lot for my momentum, moving forward, [and] feeling the confidence back.“
There were, however, some concerns in the match. The Galaxy had a comfortable 2-0 lead and made a costly mistake that led to a Sounders goal.
“We were a little sloppy in the second half,” said coach Bruce Arena. “Maybe made the game perhaps a little more difficult than it needed to be.”
“We got sloppy,” agreed defender Todd Dunivant. “When it was 2-0, I thought we took our foot off the gas a little, and lost a little bit of concentration.”
Shortly after the Sounders started to rally, they got careless and knocked one into the own net.
James Riley will get the credit for the own goal, but what the statistics won't show was Landon Donovan's work rate to make the run behind the fullback and cause the mistake. The Galaxy captain ended up going all 90 despite rumors before the match that the U.S. star would get a rest.
“If Landon was going to play his first game back from the World Cup, it was going to be in Los Angeles,” said the coach.
“If [Donovan] needs some time off we’re gonna give him time off, and that's maybe a decision we’ll make this week. There’s a chance he won’t go to New England. You could see early in the game Landon’s legs were a little heavy, hasn’t quite obviously recovered from the games, the travel.”
All Donovan could say regarding the match was, “I’m tired.”
The Galaxy play Tuesday against the Sounders again, but this time in the U.S. Open Cup, then travel to New England to face the Revolution.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
“I was very happy to score my first goal here and to show everyone what I came to do,” said Juninho, who struck a wonder goal to double LA's lead in the opening minutes of the second half. “I have hit goals like that before in practice and I decided to try it.”
Buddle, along with Landon Donovan, were in South Africa representing the United States in the World Cup. However, Buddle did not get much playing time while away from the Galaxy.
“He was a little bit disappointed not to play more in South Africa,” said Donovan. “But it says a lot about him that he was able to come back, put it all behind him and just get on with it.”
The last time the pair played in the MLS was back on May 15 in their farewell match against Toronto FC, a match that ended in a goal-less draw. Back then Buddle led the league with nine goals. The lead held throughout his absence and tonight he extended it to hit double digits.
“It’s one of my goals,” said Buddle. “Small, very small goal I want to achieve, and I want to continue to do the same.
“The sharpness of [my] game is missing, because I haven’t played in a while. I think as time goes on and I get more games I should be sharper.”
Buddle may not have been as sharp as a knife, yet the goal still came. “[The goal] means a lot for my momentum, moving forward, [and] feeling the confidence back.“
There were, however, some concerns in the match. The Galaxy had a comfortable 2-0 lead and made a costly mistake that led to a Sounders goal.
“We were a little sloppy in the second half,” said coach Bruce Arena. “Maybe made the game perhaps a little more difficult than it needed to be.”
“We got sloppy,” agreed defender Todd Dunivant. “When it was 2-0, I thought we took our foot off the gas a little, and lost a little bit of concentration.”
Shortly after the Sounders started to rally, they got careless and knocked one into the own net.
James Riley will get the credit for the own goal, but what the statistics won't show was Landon Donovan's work rate to make the run behind the fullback and cause the mistake. The Galaxy captain ended up going all 90 despite rumors before the match that the U.S. star would get a rest.
“If Landon was going to play his first game back from the World Cup, it was going to be in Los Angeles,” said the coach.
“If [Donovan] needs some time off we’re gonna give him time off, and that's maybe a decision we’ll make this week. There’s a chance he won’t go to New England. You could see early in the game Landon’s legs were a little heavy, hasn’t quite obviously recovered from the games, the travel.”
All Donovan could say regarding the match was, “I’m tired.”
The Galaxy play Tuesday against the Sounders again, but this time in the U.S. Open Cup, then travel to New England to face the Revolution.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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