CARSON, Calif. –Alan Gordon knows that he’s not an LA Galaxy fan favorite just yet, but he’s certainly endeared himself to his teammates with his recent heroics.
Gordon scored the game-winner in the Galaxy’s 2-1 victory over FC Dallas on Saturday in what is his fourth goal since joining the club last month. In his short nine-game stint with the club, Gordon has scored nothing but meaningful goals as each of his tallies have helped LA either take the lead or pull level in a match.
He struck again against Dallas when Robbie Keane launched a cross into the penalty area that fell perfectly for the leaping Gordon who nodded it past goalkeeper Raul Fernandez for the game-winner. Even though the 32-year-old Galaxy striker jumped into the StubHub Center stands in celebration of his tally, the forward was much more grounded when asked about his impact against Dallas.
“There wasn’t much for me to do,” said Gordon. “That was a pretty good ball. I just got my head on it, trying to be in the right places is the most important thing because I know that there’s a lot of guys that can deliver those balls on the field and I think that has been the biggest difference.”
Not only did Gordon score his fourth goal of the season with the Galaxy–pulling him level with Jovan Kirovski and Gavin Glinton in the LA record books for best single-season performance by a player in the No. 9 kit – but he again exhibited his prowess of coming off the bench and making an immediate impact.
For a striker that did it time and time again for the San Jose Earthquakes and now the Galaxy, Gordon says that he feels like he’ll find the back of the net each time that he comes on as a substitute.
“Of course, that’s my job and I’m getting ready,” Gordon admitted unabashedly. “That’s all I’m focused on. Anytime I watch a game, I’m watching the forwards’ and defenders’ tendencies, if there are any holes being open, you just try and observe the game and see little things that you can take advantage of.”
And Landon Donovan has become one of many Galaxy players who are quick to praise Gordon’s consistent impact.
“He puts himself in good spots. He works hard, he does the right things and when you do that, good things happen. He has learned over the years how to play as a substitute,” said Donovan. “It’s not easy, a lot of guys come into games and they are not ready, and that says a lot about his professionalism, his mentality when he is seating on the bench for 60 minutes and he is ready to come in right away and it makes a big difference.”
Added head coach Bruce Arena, “He’s a good target player. He’s good in the penalty area. If the service is right, he’s quite capable of finishing off plays, which he’s shown. He knows his job. He’s an experienced player. Understands tactically what needs to be done at the end of the game, and has just done an outstanding job.”
But when asked after his game-winner if he’ll ever win back the entirety of the LA support, Gordon simply shrugs.
“I don’t know, I can’t speak for them, but I know they are happy [when we win],” Gordon said with a smile.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
