Galaxy Travel To Take On Hoops
POSTED: 4:07 pm EDT July 25,
2008
Frisco, TX -- (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Galaxy will be aiming to retake the top spot in Major League Soccer's Western table when they travel to Texas to take on FC Dallas on Sunday.Both teams are coming off 2-2 draws in their last league contests. The Galaxy (6-6-5) earned their draw at New York thanks to a stoppage time equalizer from Landon Donovan. "It was a cross of course. But I think he kicked it so well that even if Edson [Buddle] had touched it, it would have been a goal also," Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit said of Donovan's goal. "That's why the goalkeeper didn't know what to do. It's the quality of the play itself that made it difficult for the goalkeeper. I think that Landon is growing, and I think he's gotten better with us. He's important for the team, as is of course our captain David [Beckham]. It's difficult when you are doubled most of the time but he had some good crosses and if we had been a little more active, we could have had more opportunities. He helped create good chances." The Galaxy made a slight tactical switch in the game, inserting Carlos Ruiz into the lineup up top beside Edson Buddle while moving Donovan back to the midfield. It worked as both Donovan and Ruiz scored in the game. "I think [Ruiz] proved [in the New York game] he is the player that everybody knows," Gullit said. "He took my conversation very seriously and I'm very proud of him. "Landon has done very well up front, he scored a lot of goals, but we also ask him to do other things. He was excellent. In the first half, he was so threatening for the opposition, people are afraid of him. To do that all of the time, the whole game, is difficult, especially under these circumstances. He's shown good improvement and it's very good for the L.A. Galaxy." The Hoops (4-6-7) earned their draw with Colorado thanks to goals from both Kenny Cooper and Juan Toja, who have been rumored to be transferred to Europe before the MLS summer window closes. Nothing is finalized, meaning both players could be available Sunday. Both L.A. and Dallas also have players coming off significant minutes in Thursday's all-star game in which the MLS All-Stars topped West ham United 3-2. Cooper and Toja participated for Dallas while the Galaxy's Donovan, Beckham and Buddle participated.
Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.







