BY ADAM SERRANO
It wasn't always easy, but the Los Angeles Galaxy picked up their second victory in the CONCACAF Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Costa Rican side Alajuelense.
Omar Gonzalez gave the Galaxy their first goal in the 38th minute of play before Chad Barrett added the dagger in the 78th minute. Los Angeles controlled a great deal of the match, but struggled to find the final touch allowing Alajuelense to remain competitive long into the proceedings. For the Galaxy, it wasn't the performance, but the win that was most important.
“That was the goal, but we didn't play great," said Galaxy captain Landon Donovan. "But we made the plays we needed to win the game, and at the end of all of it, we have six points from our two home games, which we wanted. It's a perfect night for us.”
After a sloppy start to the match, the Galaxy were able to break through in the 38th minute when David Beckham sent in a corner to Gonzalez that the lanky defender was able to head in for a goal. As the match wore on, the Galaxy continued to dominate possession, but in the second half the Costa Ricans began to challenge Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders goal. Los Angeles eventually doubled their lead in the 78th minute when Barrett scored off a sequence created by a Beckham pass from midfield.
The Galaxy were boosted by postponement of their weekend match with New York Red Bulls due to Hurricane Irene. With the Red Bulls match pushed till October, the Galaxy were able to start a number of their starters including Beckham and Gonzalez as well as give new signing Robbie Keane extended minutes. The Irish international was disjointed from the attack at times, but was able to make a clever run that helped lead to Barrett's goal.
“I think he had a good game, he is getting his legs. You got to remember that he has been here for one week now and we have thrown an awful lot at him," said head coach Bruce Arena. "New team, different conditions, different football for him and I think he has been outstanding. That run he made in the second goal was fabulous to open up the back half of the goal, it was excellent.”
Although the Galaxy picked up a victory, it was a difficult night for Los Angeles, who lost Gregg Berhalter to an apparent right foot injury according to the club. Berhalter stated after the match that he will be having an MRI on Friday and that it was not a right metatarsal injury as speculated during the broadcast.
In addition, they were forced to end the match with ten men after Juninho was sent off for a foul late in the match. On the whole, referee Marco Antonio Rodriguez gave four Galaxy players yellow cards including Donovan and Beckham.
With Morelia winning the other match in Group A 4-0 over Motagua, the Galaxy remain in firm command of Group A after the first two matches. The Galaxy take on Morelia on September 13th in Mexico as they look to take a firm command of the group.
“This is exactly where we wanted to be,” said Gonzalez. “We wanted to win the first two home games so we can kind of go there with a little bit of breathing room. We’ve done really well to get these six points.”
