The great thing about soccer, is that the nature of the game can change so quickly. Last minute goals can turn draws in wins and wins into draws. The Los Angeles Galaxy (2-1-2, 8 pts) suffered the later tonight in the nation's capital, as an 89' foul in the box led to a Charlie Davies equalizing penalty kick. United's (1-2-1, 5 pts) Davies made it past Omar Gonzalez and without a clear shot on goal fell to the pitch. The foul call was questionable at best, but all that maters in the long run is that Davies made Donovan Ricketts dive left, then lobbed the ball right where Ricketts was.
The Galaxy goal came in the twelfth minute. David Beckham took the free kick and Mike Magee was able to redirect it into the back of the net. Magee was starting in place of Landon Donovan who was given the day off after getting a knock on the knee. The Galaxy lead in most statistical categories except for possession, a statistic MLS just started tracking, where they lost he battle 57%-43%. This is somewhat surprising since the Galaxy were playing a man up from the 84' on. Santino Quaranta of DC United was sent off for a studs up challenge when he already had a yellow card in the match. Jovan Kirovski, who came on for David Beckham in the 80' was issued a post-match red for excessive foul and abusive language. Beckham picked up a yellow card in the 41' for a scissors tackle, which puts him one yellow away from a suspension.
The Galaxy's best chance to put the game out of reach came in the 81' when Juan Pablo Angel pulled down a cross and fed it to Mike Magee, who had his back to the goal. Magee whipped the ball without getting a real good look, and Bill Hamid had to make a dive to his left to keep the game in reach. Donovan Ricketts, who didn't have to make a save in his return last weekend, made a big save to keep the Galaxy in front in the 75', blocking the volley attempt off a cross.