CARSON, Calif. – The Three Points to the LA Galaxy’s 5-2 victory over Isidro Metapán…
BECKHAM DOESN’T MISS A STEP AGAINST METAPAN
David Beckham may have missed a pair of games due to his commitments at the 2012 London Olympic Games, but he did not miss a beat in his first action in nearly a month on Thursday.
Throughout the first half, Beckham fired probing balls that cut through the Metapán defense creating several early chances for Robbie Keane. The pair connected in the 22nd minute as Beckham set up Keane’s lone goal of the game.
But the Englishman’s finest moment came in the 45th minute as Beckham fired a corner kick that fell into the bottom corner of the Metapán net for a goal. A goal that in Spanish is—interestingly enough—called an Olimpico. The goal was a historic one as Beckham’s finish was the 1000th goal scored during the rebranded CONCACAF Champions League tournament.
KEANE SENT OFF; TO MISS PUERTO RICO MATCH
Despite both teams’ best efforts, the game turned ugly in the 70th minute and descended into madness from there on.
In the 70th minute, Robbie Keane appeared to be brought down by three Metapan defenders and was subsequently given a yellow card by referee Alfredo Penaloza. Moments later, the Mexican referee gave the Galaxy forward a second yellow –apparently for dissent—leading to wild protests from LA.
The expulsion will keep Keane from the LA Galaxy’s next CONCACAF Champions League match next Thursday against the Puerto Rico Islanders at The Home Depot Center.
JUNINHO’S BRACE LEADS TO EMOTIONAL FINISH
Down a man late, the Galaxy needed someone to step up as both teams appeared to lose their composure —enter Juninho.
The Brazilian midfielder bagged a pair of goals in the closing stages of the match to give the Galaxy a comprehensive 5-2 victory over the Salvadoran side. Less than 15 minutes after Keane’s red card, the Brazilian midfielder tallied his first as the pendulum swung in the Galaxy’s favor. Juninho would later add a second in stoppage time to give LA a three goal advantage which could become significant in the later stages of the tournament.
The Brazilian’s brace gives the midfielder the Galaxy’s all-time lead in goals scored—with four—in the CCL.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider
