CHESTER - On a night where the Philadelphia Union gave a long-awaited first start to its designated player, it was the L.A. Galaxy stars that stole the show.
Landon Donovan set up Robbie Keane for the game-winning goal in the 71st minute, leading the Galaxy to a 4-1 victory at PPL Park Wednesday night.
Donovan set up the game's first goal in the third minute, an own goal from Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath, and played in Hector Jimenez for an insurance tally in the 80th. He and Keane then switched places in the 87th, Donovan slotting home a feed from Keane to put the cherry on top for the two-time defending MLS Cup Champions.
It was a tough result to swallow for the Union (4-4-3, 15 points) who dominated large stretches of play and looked like a different side with the introduction of Brazilian midfielder Kleberson.
Finally playing the open, free-flowing brand of soccer manager John Hackworth envisioned when he acquired the former Manchester United player in a deal that sent Freddy Adu packing in March, the Union and Galaxy produced an end-to-end, entertaining affair.
But as has been a theme, the Union failed to capitalize fully on their chances, their only marker a header from Amobi Okugo in the 23rd minute off a Sheanon Williams throw-in.
It left them vulnerable to the defensive breakdowns that have plagued them in the past, and it was Donovan and Keane who prised them open in the second half. Donovan found Keane in space between defenders Bakary Soumare and Ray Gaddis, and he slid one home with his left foot past a sprawled out MacMath. When Gaddis came in to close down Donovan nine minutes later, he slid an easy ball to Jimenez that the midfielder finished easily.
The Union had their chances at a second goal - Danny Cruz coming the closest on the hour mark with a drive that just missed the post - but couldn't capitalize on plenty of space being afforded them by the Galaxy defense (5-3-2, 17 points), especially in the first half.
The start wasn't what the Union wanted, though. In the third minute, Donovan's corner kick went off the face of MacMath, who thought he was being fouled, off the crossbar and in. For the opponent that scored the fastest goal against the Union in franchise history, it was another disastrous start for the Union.
The Union dominated large stretches of the first half, owning 53 percent of the possession. They should've had more than just the Okugo goal, with Kleberson having a couple of solid chances, including a pair of open headers off set pieces. McInerney also forced a fine save from Cudicini in the 34th minute, a short-angle drive that sought to beat the Italian at the near post, but he was equal to the task.
Heading into the break, it was the Galaxy that looked most likely to break the deadlock. They had the ball in the net off the foot of Keane, but he was ruled to have tipped Jose Villarreal's shot from an offside position. MacMath also did well to deny an onrushing Donovan in the 59th minute, getting a hand to shot that appeared ticketed for the far corner.
Once the momentum turned in the Galaxy's favor, there was no stopping the deluge for a team that has lost two straight and is in the midst of a three-game road trip. With Michael Farfan on for Soumare, Donovan got his goal to go along with two official assists, plus the impetus for the first goal.
TWO THUMBS UP
n So why has Kleberson been on the bench this long?
n Landon Donovan still has it.
TWO THUMBS DOWN
n Ray Gaddis managed to contain Donovan for 70 minutes. The other 20, not so much.
n Looks like the midfield odd-man-out du jour is Keon Daniel.