DONOVAN SHINES BRIGHTEST FOR GALAXY FORWARD SCORES TWICE AS L.A. ADVANCES TO MLS CUP GALAXY 2, COLORADO 0.Byline: Scott French Staff Writer It has been the most remarkable of the Galaxy's 10 seasons, with the quick start, the mighty road struggles that followed, the hot-and-cold play throughout, and now this: a playoff run that might seem to mock logic, except for the presence of one man. Nothing appears impossible for Landon Donovan Landon Timothy Donovan (born March 4, 1982 in Ontario, California), is an American professional soccer player on the Los Angeles Galaxy, who is the joint all-time leading scorer for the U.S. National Team (along with Eric Wynalda). , who at 23 is widely considered the finest soccer talent this country has produced. He was the pivotal player in L.A.'s stunning first-round playoff triumph over San Jose San Jose, city, United States San Jose (sănəzā`, săn hōzā`), city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. , and Saturday night in Denver he offered an encore. Donovan scored goals in the 28th and 88th minutes, both of them brilliant, in very different ways, and the Galaxy's defense stood strong against constant pressure as L.A. returned to Major League Soccer's championship game with a 2-0 triumph over the Colorado Rapids The Colorado Rapids are a soccer club based in Commerce City, Colorado that participates in Major League Soccer. The club was founded in 1995. The team colors are burgundy and sky blue with the home jerseys being burgundy. The away jerseys are sky blue with burgundy trim. in front of 12,789 fans at Invesco Field at Mile High Naming Rights Controversy Many fans opposed a corporate name and wished to retain the previous venue's name, "Mile High Stadium."[1] The Denver Post . The Galaxy, which lost to D.C. United D.C. United is a professional soccer club located in Washington, D.C. that participates in Major League Soccer. The club's official nickname is the "Black-and-Red" and home uniforms are black and white with accents of red. The team's name refers to Washington, D.C. in the 1996 and 1999 title games and defeated New England New England, name applied to the region comprising six states of the NE United States—Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The region is thought to have been so named by Capt. for the 2002 championship, claimed the Western Conference crown and advanced to MLS Cup The MLS Cup is the final game of the Major League Soccer postseason, officially recognized as the championship of the league. The trophy is called the Alan I. Rothenberg Trophy, after the founding chairman of MLS. 2005 next Sunday at Pizza Hut Park Current Stadiums in Major League Soccer Western Conference Eastern Conference Dick's Sporting Goods Park | The Home Depot Center | Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas Frisco is a city in Collin County and Denton County, Texas (USA). It is a northern suburb of Dallas. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 33,714, while according to 2007 estimate, the city's population is approximately 95,000. . L.A. will learn its foe today, when Chicago visits New England in the Eastern Conference final. The Galaxy is playing its best soccer at the most opportune time, and its victory over Colorado is only its second league win this season away from Southern California. It was built on Donovan's goals, one superb run down the right flank by Cobi Jones, and superior work in the back by, especially, Tyrone Marshall and Chris Albright. ``I've said it a lot of times, playing your best in the playoffs is what this league is all about,'' said Donovan, who vaulted past retired Roy Lassiter and former Galaxy striker Carlos Ruiz to the top of MLS's all-time playoff goals list, with 14 in 17 matches. ``Even though we weren't playing well on the road this year, we were close. There were a few mistakes we were making, and we cleaned those up, and the next thing you know, we're winning games.'' Donovan has the been the key. He says he ``lives for'' the postseason, and his performances bear witness. He scored twice in the 3-1 triumph over San Jose in the opener, set up Ned Grabavoy's goal in the 1-1 tie that clinched the series against the Earthquakes, and now this. ``Landon found his cape,'' Albright teased. ''I guess his cape was in his closet, and he went and found it. Right on time, too.'' The first goal was mostly Jones' doing. He took a feed from Albright near midfield, pirouetted past Colorado midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, the beat two defenders racing up the flank. His cross to the near post found Donovan in stride, and the shot was placed perfectly inside the right post. Donovan secured the victory in the 88th minute. He took a clearance near midfield, then, one by one, withstood challenges from Colorado's Mike Petke, Mastroeni and Ritchie Kotschau. He then hooked the ball around goalkeeper Joe Cannon and inside the right post. Scott French, (818) 713-3627 scott.french(at)dailynews.com |
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