The Los Angeles Galaxy improved to 5-1-1 on the preseason, collecting its second straight win, defeating the Houston Dynamo 1-0 in a physical match at The Home Depot Center. Landon Donovan had the game's only goal, beating Houston keeper Zach Wells from 20 yards out midway through the first half for his second goal of the preseason.
Donovan nearly helped the Galaxy get on the board for the first time in the 27th minute as he floated a free kick into the box for Nate Jaqua. The six-foot-three forward was able to get to the ball first, but his header flashed just over the crossbar, keeping the game scoreless.
It would stay that way for just eight minutes more before Donovan put his squad in front. A long ball from the back from Tyrone Marshall found Gavin Glinton who raced down the left flank before sliding a pass through to Donovan whose first time shot beat Wells from 20 yards out, giving the Galaxy a 1-0 advantage in the 35th minute.
The game would stay that way all the way through to the final whistle, despite each side have a number of quality chances in the final 45 minutes. Joe Cannon was in goal for the second straight match and earned his second shutout of the year, improving his record to 3-1-0 during the preseason while L.A. picked up its fifth clean sheet in seven contests so far.
The Galaxy will be back in action on Saturday evening when the club travels to Fresno, Calif. to take on the Fresno Fuego of the PDL.
Scoring Summary:
LA: Landon Donovan 35'
HOU: None
Los Angeles Galaxy - Joe Cannon, Chris Albright (Troy Roberts 69'), Tyrone Marshall (Ritchie Kotschau 77'), Ty Harden, Mike Randolph, Peter Vagenas, Kevin Harmse (Robbie Findley 72'), Cobi Jones (Kyle Martino 61'), Gavin Glinton (Quavas Kirk 46'), Landon Donovan (Darren Currie 72'), Nate Jaqua.
Houston Dynamo - Zach Wells (Jordan James 62'), Kelly Gray (Kevin Goldthwaite 62'), Ryan Cochrane (John Michael Hayden 62'), Eddie Robinson (Patrick Ianni 62'), Wade Barrett (Nick Hatzkel 62'), Ricardo Clark (Mike Chabala 62'), Brad Davis (Craig Waibel 76'), Brian Mullan (Corey Ashe 62'), Alejandro Moreno (Mpho Moloi 62'), Paul Dalglish (Erik Ustruck 62'), Brian Ching (Chris Wondolowski 62').
Misconduct Summary:
HOU - Zach Wells (yellow card) 24'
