CARSON, Calif -- The LA Galaxy (1-2-0) continued what has been a wacky beginning to the MLS season, allowing a New England Revolution (2-2-0) team that had only scored one goal in three matches to score three on the West Coast; where New England hadn't won since August 2009. LA lost 1-3, with only a late Robbie Keane goal to get those of the 21,324 home fans who stuck around through the rain excited.
The New England Revolution got two early goals, and got both of them just by being fundamentally sound. AJ DeLaGarza was able to clear a dangerous ball of the line, but New England kept pressing. Shalrie Joseph sent a cross in that was controlled by Kelyn Rowe. Rowe shot it directly at Saunders, but when the LA keeper was unable to corral it he lobbed the rebound over Saunders' head in the 10'.
The second goal came just as easily in the 13'. Joseph and Kevin Alston had a give an go to get Alston in the box, and then Alston sent in a hopeful rolling cross. Chris Tierney and Paolo Cardozo were in a footrace for the ball, and with the pitch nice and slippery Tierney slid in to put the Revs up 2-0 with less than fifteen minutes played.
The Galaxy had their first real chance of the night just under the 40' mark, when David Beckham took a free kick ten yards outside the box. Beckham slipped taking the attempt, but it required a great save from Matt Reis to stay out. The subsequent corner kick came to nothing.
With three minutes of stoppage time added in the first half, the Galaxy were gifted one more chance when a New England defender slipped on the ball. Robbie Keane poked the ball over to Edson Buddle, whose attempt on goal went comically wide.
The second half kicked off with the Galaxy making two big changes. David Beckham and Marcelo Sarvas were taken out, and replaced by Michael Stephens and Mike Magee respectively. Both substitutions were called coaches decisions and not injury related. New England took out Alston with hamstring tightness, a precautionary move with the weather.
New England's third goal came int eh 65' minute, and it came completely against the run of play. Saer Sene, right in front of Josh Saunders, headed in a cross sent in by Ryan Guy. Saunders got a hand on it, but not enough to stop the ball's momentum. Todd Dunivant was marking Guy, and got completely turned around. Sean Franklin and Andrew Boyens were in the box, and were split by Sene.
Robbie Keane's goal came in the 78', when he received a ball from Edson Buddle (who received the ball from Todd Dunivant) just outside the box. He dribbled around Matt Reis, who had gone to ground, and rolled it in for a morale boosting goal.