Galaxy scores late to keep hope alive
The Galaxy’s improbable march to the Major League Soccer playoffs continued unchecked Saturday night when the team won its fifth consecutive game and extended its unbeaten streak to six matches by defeating Toronto FC, 2-1, in front of a sellout crowd of 27,000 in Carson.
“It wasn’t the greatest of games but. . . we needed three points and we got three points and that’s all that matters,” Galaxy Coach Frank Yallop said.
The game-winning goal came 12 minutes from the end when Los Angeles forward Edson Buddle, who had come into the game only moments earlier, slammed a shot into the roof of the net off a pass from Chris Klein. Landon Donovan had unlocked the defense with a superb through pass to Klein.
Asked about the insertion of Buddle into the match, Yallop grinned and gave a one-word answer.
“Masterstroke,” he said.
The victory put the Galaxy within four points of clinching a playoff spot that not long ago was considered completely out of reach.
The door to the playoffs -- always a narrow passageway for the 9-13-6 Galaxy -- had opened slightly wider earlier Saturday when the Chicago Fire, which holds the eighth and final playoff spot, managed no more than a 0-0 tie at D.C. United.
Saturday’s victory was earned on merit, but came against a Toronto team reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute after the ejection of Canadian international defender Marco Reda.
Reda pulled down Galaxy forward Gavin Glinton in the penalty area as Glinton chased down a Donovan pass.
Referee Terry Vaughn ejected Reda for the foul, causing Toronto Coach Mo Johnston to hurl his water bottle to the ground in disgust, and the Canadian team had to play the final 36 minutes shorthanded.
Donovan, after the usual elaborate ritual that he indulges in on such occasions, scored from the penalty spot. It was his team-leading eighth goal of the season.
“He’s one of the best players, if not the best player, that we’ve got in this league,” Yallop said. “He wins you games.”
Collin Samuel pulled Toronto (6-17-6) back on level terms at 68:01 when the Galaxy lost possession and Chris Pozniak found Samuel on the right. The Trinidad and Tobago international unleashed a shot that flew past Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon and into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Yallop sent Buddle into the game in the 77th minute. Sixty seconds later, Buddle scored the game-winner, keeping alive the Galaxy dream.
At the final whistle, the Galaxy players were congratulated on the field by injured teammate David Beckham, who had made their way down from the club’s suite.
Beckham could be ready to play by Thursday night, or by next Sunday in Chicago.
“He’s getting close,” Yallop said. “Hopefully we get some type of minutes out of him on Thursday, but we’ve got to wait and see. And then, if we can manage to make it into the playoffs, David will be ready to go. That’s exciting.”
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