Henry and Donovan ensure Bulls hold Galaxy
Reuters - Sunday 08 May 2011, 07:30
LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles forward
Landon Donovan cancelled out Thierry Henry's opener as the
Galaxy were held to a 1-1 draw by the New York Red Bulls in
an entertaining clash of the biggest spending clubs in Major
League Soccer on Saturday.
Former Arsenal and France striker Henry put New York ahead
in the fourth minute with a smart close-range finish after good
work from Jamaican Dane Richards.
The Galaxy fought back well though and Donovan, after
missing a good chance, floated in a great cross for Colombian
forward Juan Pablo Angel, who headed home but had his effort
ruled out for offside.
Donovan, the U.S international, brought L.A level four
minutes before the break when the influential ex-England
midfielder David Beckham curled in a corner from the left and
Donovan rose, unmarked, to powerfully head in.
The pair combined again when Beckham, who had a strong game
in central midfield, drifted a ball over the top and Donovan
rounded Red Bulls keeper Bouna Coundoul, but shot weakly into an
open goal and Tim Ream slid in to clear well off the line.
After an entertaining and high-quality first half, the
action died off a little in the second 45 minutes but Beckham
forced a fine save out of Coundoul with a trademark, bending 25
yard free-kick while at the other end Richards struck the post
with nine minutes remaining.
The Red Bulls remain top of the Eastern Conference on 15
points while the Galaxy head the West.
Real Salt Lake beat Chivas USA 1-0 but paid a heavy price
with Argentine playmaker Javier Morales suffering a broken ankle
which is likely to keep him out for a large part of the season.