CARSON, Calif. - Landon Donovan converted two penalty kicks, both drawn by Kyle Martino, to push the Los Angeles Galaxy to their third win of the season, a 2-0 victory against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night at The Home Depot Center.
The Fire recorded just two shots for the entire match, and neither even made it through to Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon, who was not called upon to make a save on the night.
As to be expected from two teams struggling in the standings, both sides struggled to get in an early offensive rhythm. Play was choppy through the midfield, with both sides opting for route one soccer.
It was the home side that struck first, though. In the 16th minute Martino stripped the ball in the offensive third and dribbled into the penalty box. After slipping by C.J. Brown, two steps inside the area Martino was brought down by Chris Armas, and Brian Hall immediately whistled for the penalty kick. Donovan stepped up to the spot and shot to his right, slotting the ball past 'keeper Jon Busch, who was making his Chicago debut.
Los Angeles went into a lull following the goal and allowed Chicago to apply some pressure. Just minutes after Donovan put Los Angeles ahead, Chicago won a series of corner kicks. Some half-clearances kept the pressure on the Los Angeles goal, but goalkeeper Joe Cannon eventually pounced on a loose ball to clear the danger.
Los Angeles returned to their offensive third with a nice buildup through the midfield. Cobi Jones slipped Edson Buddle in behind the defense down the left flank. Buddle slowed the ball down and returned the favor, feeding Jones the ball from 12 yards out. Jones hit a well-placed shot to the near post, only to see a diving save from Busch deny him.
Jones had another effort at goal in the 38th minute. The Galaxy was surging forward with Donovan leading the charge, and while he lost the ball, it popped loose to Jones, who was sitting all alone at the top of the 18. Jones settled and fired, only to see Busch make another diving save.
As the two teams entered the locker rooms, Chicago had failed to record a single shot through the first 45 minutes of play. Coming out after halftime, it was Los Angeles once again that was applying all the pressure.
Just seconds into the second half, Martino spotted Buddle out wide. Buddle attempted a cross that turned into a shot. Busch, who was cheating off his line expecting a cross, had to retreat into his own net to punch the ball clear from just under the crossbar.
With the offense getting stagnant on both sides of the field, Frank Yallop went to his bench, bringing on Honduran forward Carlos Pavon for Jones. It was Pavon's MLS debut.
Pavon nearly made an immediate impact on the game. The Galaxy intercepted a pass in midfield, and got the ball to Donovan. Donovan crossed the ball along the top of the 18 for Pavon whose first-time effort was on target, but saved by Busch.
The Galaxy continued to apply the pressure, and again it was Pavon in the thick of things. Another clever buildup through the midfield allowed Martino to dribble at the Chicago defense. Martino passed the ball off to Pavon who used a clever little flick with his heel to get Buddle the ball in space. Buddle drove a shot towards goal, but again Busch was equal to the task.
Chicago finally recorded their first shot of the game at the 70th minute mark. It came from a corner kick, when C.J. Brown won a header, but his effort never even made it past the defense as Pavon was there to clear the ball away.
Busch continued to keep Chicago in the match, making yet another save in the 82nd minute. Martino again played the role of provider, feeding Pavon at the top of the 18. Pavon took a touch into the area and fired low, forcing a kick save from Busch.
Martino drew his second penalty of the match four minutes later. Dribbling down the left side, Martino pushed the ball past Ivan Guerrero and was tripped up in the box for the second time. Donovan shot to nearly the exact same place as his first penalty to double the Galaxy lead.
With the win the Galaxy move out of the Western Conference cellar, and will try to make up more ground on the rest of the pack as they return to action in three days time against the Kansas City Wizards. Los Angeles will be looking for its first winning streak of the season. The Fire meanwhile have won just once in their last 10 games, returning home to face Toronto FC, also on Saturday.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
