SHANGHAI, China --
In just his second appearance of the preseason, Carlos Ruiz reminded Galaxy fans just what he is capable of, scoring a hat trick to lead the Galaxy to a 3-0 win over Hong Kong Shanghai United in Shanghai, China. The goals were the first for the Guatemalan international since his return to Los Angeles in January and if it were not for some questionable judgements from the referee's assistants, his tally could have been even more.
The Galaxy created a string of chances throughout the opening 45 minutes and finally found a breakthrough in stoppage time with Ruiz getting his first goal of the tour. Alvaro Pires collected the ball in the center of the park and ran at the Shanghai defense before laying the ball out right to Beckham. His first time cross floated over the two center backs and right onto the head of Ruiz who lofted a header over the goalkeeper to give LA a 1-0 advantage.
Prior to the goal, Ely Allen, Beckham and Ruiz all went close to opening the scoring but were unable to direct their shots on target as Shanghai Hong Kong United, an All-Star team assembled strictly for this match, kept the game scoreless.
The hosts had a series of chances as well, using their pace and quick passing to carve out a number of quality scoring opportunities. Lv WenJun headed just over following a left wing cross and the captain Wang Jia Yu sent a free kick just wide from 22 yards out.
The Galaxy continued to dominate after the break with Ruiz giving the two center backs for United constant fits and going close twice.
United nearly equalized in the 68th minute when 5 played a neat pass behind the Galaxy defense for 13, only for Josh Wicks to race off his line and make the save at close range.
Beckham exited the match to a thunderous applause in the 70th minute and ten minutes later Ruiz killed the game off with his second. A clever one-two between rookies Brandon McDonald and Sean Franklin allowed Franklin to whip a low cross across the face of goal where Ruiz met the pass and directed it just inside Gu Chao's right post to double the LA lead at 2-0.
A minute later the hat trick was complete as Ely Allen raced at the center of the United defense before laying the ball off to Ruiz on his right. The Galaxy's second all-time leading scorer then dispatched a right-footed shot past Chao, giving his team a 3-0 victory and completing his first hat trick in a Galaxy uniform since August 2002.
The Galaxy will next head to Hong Kong for the final game of Asia Tour 2008 presented by Herbalife when they face Hong Kong Union at Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday. Kickoff for that game is 11 p.m. (PT) on Saturday, March 9 and Fox Soccer Channel will be airing the contest live in its entirety.
Scoring Summary
LAG - Carlos Ruiz (David Beckham, Alvaro Pires) 46+
LAG - Carlos Ruiz (Sean Franklin, Brandon McDonald) 80'
LAG - Carlos Ruiz (Ely Allen, Troy Roberts) 81'
Misconduct Summary
LAG - Alan Gordon - Yellow Card 5'
SHKU - 18 - Yellow Card 41'
LAG - Alvaro Pires - Yellow Card 92+
Teams
LA Galaxy: Steve Cronin (Josh Wicks 46'), Michael Gavin, Greg Vanney, Abel Xavier (Troy Roberts 46'), Chris Klein (Sean Franklin 46'), Alvaro Pires, Brandon McDonald, Ely Allen, David Beckham© (Peter Vagenas 70'), Alan Gordon (Bryan Jordan 60'), Carlos Ruiz.
Subs Not Used: Julian Valentin, Josh Tudela
Shanghai Hong Kong United: Gu Chao, Bo JiaJun (Lee Wai Lun 71'), Cristiano Breigchadt Cordeiro, Wang Shen Chao, Chung Kin Hei Jason (Jiang Zhi Peng 46'), Lau Chi Keung (Cai Hui Kang 46'), Affonso Junior Robert Orlando, Wang Jia Yu© (Zhang Lin Peng 77'), Wang Yun Long (Chu Siu Kei 52'), Chan Yiu Lun (Cao Yun Ding 69'), Lv WenJun (Zhu ZhengRong 52').
