CARSON, Calif -- The LA Galaxy defeated the Portland Timbers FC at The Home Depot Center tonight with the final score 3-1. Landon Donovan netted the equalizer, and in the 83' Juninho scored the go-ahead goal, his first goal of the season. David Beckham put the icing on the cake just before the end of the match. A.J DeLaGarza rested with an injury, replaced by new acquisition David Junior Lopes, and Chad Barrett started in place of a struggling Edson Buddle.
The game-winning goal came when it seemed the two teams were finally settling on the draw after coming up short on decent chances. Juninho, who became known last year for screaming balls from outside the box, fought off Diego Chara on a 50-50 ball then drilled a daisy cutter past Troy Perkins in the 83'.
David Beckham put things out of reach with his first goal of the year, from outside the box. He struck it hard and it just screamed on it's way into the near corner. While Juninho celebrated his goal with a samba move, David Beckham slid on his knees into the corner flag, a similar move to the Thierry Henry scene immortalized in front of the Emirates.
The Timbers struck first in the match, with a goal in the 23'. Kris Boyd was barely held onside by Todd Dunivant who was far away from the play. Eric Alexander spotted him and gave him a ball to run on to. Boyd rolled the ball past Dunivant from just inside the box, and it nestled into the far corner.
The Galaxy were able to equalize just before halftime. Robbie Keane was marked by Eric Brunner who slipped, allowing Keane to dribble to the baseline. Keane rolled a cross in from the near post, the ball bounced off a Portland defender and serendipitously onto the foot of Landon Donovan who smashed it past Troy Perkins.
Going into this match, the LA Galaxy had the lowest save percentage in MLS with 57.9% after having the highest save percentage in MLS last season (79.5%, stats according to Opta Sports). Josh Saunders went 2/3, which should help bring that up some. It's also encouraging that a center back pairing with two MLS appearances this season between them could keep Portland to just three shots on goal. Portland and LA remain two of five MLS teams without a clean sheet.
The Galaxy now have six points from five matches, as they try to climb out of the Western Conference cellar. Portland, surrendering late goals in three straight matches, now have the distinction of being the Western Conference's worst team. Still, they've done a mite better than Toronto FC, who have no points in five matches.