CARSON, Calif. — The LA Galaxy’s attack might not be firing on all cylinders yet, but the team’s most reliable offensive threat over the last six seasons is making his presence felt nevertheless.
Landon Donovan is on a scoring binge. Entering Saturday’s match against Sporting Kansas City (10:30 pm ET, Direct Kick, MatchDay Live), the Galaxy captain has scored five consecutive goals and is just two shy of his 2010 mark, when he notched seven goals to go along with 16 assists.
Donovan, however, says he isn't bent on scoring goals or reaching a statistical figure, but rather is focused on putting himself in the right position — both mentally and tactically — during games.
“I want to make sure I’m being assertive and being aggressive,” Donovan said this past week. “Goals come or don’t come. Sometimes you get on streaks and sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you get a little luck and sometimes you don’t, but I need to keep being aggressive.”
Donovan could continue fattening up his goal totals against a Sporting KC side that enters The Home Depot Center with anything but a strong defense. Sporting are the only team in MLS not to pick up a clean sheet this season. The club has allowed 13 goals in six games and has not won since First Kick.
SKC’s central defense tandem of Aurélien Collin and Júlio César could be the ones responsible for putting the clamps down on the LA attack and could see Donovan making runs at them.
Donovan, though, has done well to score a variety of goals during his current streak. He’s scored one from the penalty spot (against Portland), one on quick build-up in front of goal (his second against the Timbers), one off a corner kick (against New York), one while risking life and limb (against FC Dallas), and another that came off a scramble (against Philadelphia).
His goal Wednesday at PPL Park was good enough for one point as the Galaxy tied the Union 1-1. Donovan said he did well to put himself in the right spot for that goal.
“Sometimes needs to fall your way, and then when you get your chances you just have to take them,” Donovan said. “One popped loose and I took it, but I’m being more aggressive and putting myself in spots where I can be dangerous.
Strikers Juan Pablo Ángel, Miguel López and Chad Barrett are not finding the back of the net with much consistency — the trio has combined for three goals in 2011 — but they have helped Donovan’s offensive contributions take off.
“Our forwards are doing a really good job of occupying defenders and giving me spots to make plays,” he said.
