Shut out in their season opener, the Los Angeles Galaxy have become most explosive offense in Major League Soccer. Twice they have struck for five goals in a game, including this past weekend against FC Dallas.
Until recently however, all the offense had been flowing through two players -- Landon Donovan and David Beckham. Through the opening six games of the season, the duo had scored all but two of the Galaxy's goals.
The general consensus was that if teams could can find a way to shut down those two players, they could shut down the Galaxy. That has changed.
Neither Donovan nor Beckham have scored in the last two games, including the five-goal outburst against FC Dallas -- the club's second five-goal game out of their last four in all. Granted, both players picked up an assist over the weekend, but Edson Buddle's hat trick and Chris Klein's strike surrounded an own goal by Duilio Davino. It's that kind of production that has the Galaxy excited as they move forward.
"In these last two games we needed it. You're not just going to win a bunch of games with only two guys contributing," said Klein. "With Alan (Gordon) coming in the Chivas game and scoring two goals and Edson (Buddle) getting some goals, it forces teams to have to respect other guys besides Landon and David. We have the tools for teams to really fear more than just two players."
Gordon, who has three goals on the season, missed the game this weekend due to an injury, which allowed Buddle to step in. While the striker lamented missing out on the game, he understands that from a team standpoint, added offensive production is going to mean good things.
"For the first few weeks, all we heard about was how Landon and David were all we got. It's good to spread it around and let people know that our offense isn't just two people," said Gordon. "Edson had a great game. It'll be tough to get back on the field after his performance. I've got to wait for my next opportunity and hopefully do the same thing that (Buddle) did. We have a lot of competition now at the forward position."
In addition to Buddle and Gordon starting to contribute, Carlos Ruiz is close to returning to the action. The Guatemalan international was available for selection last weekend and has been participating in full training this week. He could be ready to make his return to the field for the first time since the opening week of the season.
Suddenly, Galaxy head coach Ruud Gullit finds himself in the enviable position of having too many hot strikers to put on the field at once.
"We has it already with Gordo who was already scoring. It's good that I now have luxury problems that I previously didn't have," said Gullit. "It makes a difference. (Ruiz) looks good, but match fitness is different than just running around. But he looks very good, he looks sharp."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
