Two precision strikes from David Beckham were enough to give the Los Angeles Galaxy a 2-2 tie against Western Conference foe Real Salt Lake at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday evening.
Goals from Fabian Espindola and Kenny Deuchar put Real ahead before the game was 20 minutes old. But two stunning long-range efforts -- one from the run of play, one from a free kick -- pulled the Galaxy level by halftime.
The Galaxy defense was under pressure early as goalkeeper Steve Cronin saw his first bit of action just five minutes into the match. Espindola came racing into the penalty area and struck a high shot that Cronin swatted away and let bounce over the end line.
Two minutes later Cronin met up with Espindola again, this time the goalkeeper coming out on the losing end. RSL midfielder Javier Morales sent a long diagonal ball from the sideline to the back post, where Espindola ran onto it and slipped it between the feet of Cronin and into the net.
After withstanding more intense pressure from the home side the Galaxy conceded their second goal in the 18th minute. Morales sent a high ball across the face of the goal that Kenny Deuchar skied over Greg Vanney to nod into the upper corner for Salt Lake's second goal on the night.
Not to be outdone, Beckham singlehandedly pulled his team back into the game -- scoring twice in five minutes to bring the Galaxy level.
Completely against the run of play, and in the 36th minute, Beckham received the ball a few yards outside the right corner of the penalty area with acres of space and time. With seemingly little effort, the English international casually tucked a shot into the far upper corner over a flailing Nick Rimando.
The goal energized the visitors as the Galaxy began pushing forward with with purpose, and building some rhythm into their attack. Beckham and Landon Donovan weaved some magic in the 37th minute that nearly brought the Galaxy level.
Beckham slammed a penetrating ball into the area that first fell to the feet of Salt Lake defender Nat Borchers. The RSL center back failed to completely stop the pass, and the ball squirted to the feet of Donovan. The Galaxy striker fed an easy ball back across the goal for Gordon who completely missed his chance.
With a free kick award to LA sitting roughly 30 yards away from the dead center of their goal, few wondered who would take the free kick. Beckham stepped over the ball and curled a trademark blast over the RSL wall and past Rimando to the make the Galaxy comeback complete in the 40th minute.
Donovan nearly gave the Galaxy the lead just two minutes later when he slapped a quick shot from the top of the 18 that skimmed over the crossbar.
In the following minute the Salt Lake crowd thought their side had retaken the lead when Deuchar latched on to a low drive from Kyle Beckerman and touched the ball past Cronin. The fans erupted only to see the referee's assistant pointing his flag for offside.
Just before the intermission Cronin was well positioned to stop a strike from Andy Williams, keeping the score tied going into halftime.
On the other side of the break Cronin continued to keep his team in the match with some acrobatic saves. In the 50th minute Cronin sprawled out to kick away a shot from Williams.
The 51st minute was perhaps one of the most intense of the match. Salt Lake central defender Jamison Olave misplayed a clearance that slipped behind him and was picked up by Donovan. The LA front man slipped the ball between Rimando and the near post, but the Salt Lake 'keeper got a hand on it and kept it from crossing the line. The ball continued to roll before Borchers slid to keep an onrushing Beckham from reaching it, sending it out of the Salt Lake area.
RSL used the opportunity for a sudden counterattack that ended with a shot from Williams that was bobbled by Cronin. Espindola crashed into the Galaxy goalkeeper going for the loose ball, but Cronin was able to recove and smothered the ball to keep it safe.
Another Galaxy scoring chance came in the 58th minute when defender Greg Vanney pushed up and carried the ball to the top of the Salt Lake box before ripping a shot that required a diving save from Rimando. The deflection bounced to Gordon, but the forward's diving header went well wide of the frame.
In the 73rd minute Beckham sent a pinpoint free kick to Donovan, all alone on the back post. With lots of space, Donovan directed a strong header on goal that was palmed away by a diving Rimando.
Gordon missed a second golden opportunity late in the match that could have given his team the lead. In the 82nd minute Troy Roberts skipped a hard cross into the six-yard box that was missed by a sliding Gordon and belted into the stands by Borchers.
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
