On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Galaxy might have taken the first step toward turning their season around in a 2-0 victory against the Chicago Fire, the first move toward avoiding a second consecutive season out of the postseason.
The defense looked solid for the first time in a long time, and the offense again created chances, but poor finishing kept the final result in doubt until the late going. Both Galaxy goals came by way of penalty kicks, but it was a second half substitute that really breathed some life into the Galaxy attack.
Honduran forward Carlos Pavon made his Galaxy and MLS debut on Wednesday night and while he had an inauspicious start -- he was called offside on his first touch -- once he got settled into the game he was the best attacking player on the field for Los Angeles.
Pavon was constantly finding the ball, either drawing fouls or picking out teammates with intelligent through balls or quick touches around the area. Twice he was denied goals only through great saves from Chicago 'keeper Jon Busch. It was the kind of performance that has his coach and teammates excited to see what the future holds for Pavon.
"You can see he's energetic. You can see he knows how to play the game," said teammate Landon Donovan. "He's hungry and he wants to be out there and he wants to score. He's always in good spots. He's going to help us a lot."
The only reason Pavon didn't start against Chicago is that he's battling a slight injury that has kept him out of training fully with the squad. It's that lack of familiarity with his teammates that's holding him back, but not for long according to head coach Frank Yallop.
"(Pavon's) the only (new player) who's not really trained with us at all. It takes a bit more for a striker to feel himself into the game," said Yallop. "I felt he was bright and lively and has a great soccer brain around the goal. He will be a great acquisition for us."
For Pavon, he doesn't expect to take the league by storm. He's obviously excited to be in MLS and like any athlete, is itching for a chance to prove what he can do.
"I'm glad to have played, but the most important thing is that the team won and got the three points," said Pavon through a translator. "I think the league is very good. I like what I saw and I'm looking forward to the rest of the games."
If Pavon can put together a full game equivalent to the 34-minute performance he put in against Chicago, then Galaxy fans will be looking forward to the rest of the games this year as well.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
