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Landon Donovan’s Return to the LA Galaxy

Today LA Galaxy fans witnessed the return of Landon Donovan. It featured the first meeting between Donovan and Orlando City SC since he retired in December 2014 and Orlando debuted in March 2015. With only five games left in the regular season, the LA Galaxy needed three points to help in the playoff seedings.

Jelle Van Damme returned to the field today. He suffered an MCL sprain a few games ago. The defense’s performance showed his absence’s effect. Van Damme evolved into a key player for both sides with his innate ability to play offense and defense.

In the first nineteen minutes, the LA Galaxy held the ball more than Orlando. Rafael Garcia consistently interrupted passes to Kaka. Orlando players reconsidered plays to him. Alan Gordon nearly scored the game’s first goal, but an Orlando defender made an excellent save.

The LA defense made a few blunders in the twentieth minute. Its formation showed disorganization. Luke Boden, who looked offside, passed the ball to Kyle Larin. Larin’s shot bounced off Jelle Van Damme’s chest. Kevin Molino then found the rebound and kicked the ball past Brian Rowe. Orlando took an early lead, 1-0.

In the 23rd minute, Molino scored again but he stood clearly offside this time. LA definitely did not need to be down two goals.

Garcia stole the ball twice in the 29th minute to keep LA in the Orlando defense. His position in the midfield made him a continuous thorn in Kaka’s side.

In the 34th minute, Van Damme noticed Emmanuel Boateng’s run towards midfield and crossed him the ball. Boateng dribbled into the box and crossed it. The Orlando defense just missed the ball and Giovani dos Santos slotted the ball into the net.

Just three minutes later, Gordon put the Galaxy up 2-1.

Dos Santos scored his second goal of the game in the 43rd minute. José Aja tripped up Gordon right outside of the box, but the referee whistled for a penalty kick.

Right before halftime, Garcia received a yellow card for persistent infringement against Kaka. Garcia played an important role in the first half, but that card made it more precarious for him to track the Brazilian.

Early in the second half, Gordon nearly scored twice. Sebastian Lletget served him a ball, but Gordon failed to convert. Then dos Santos crossed it to Gordon, but it bounced away from him to Joe Bendik, Orlando’s goalkeeper.

Robbie Keane returned to the Galaxy lineup as a substitute in the 60th minute. He suffered a groin injury last month and then played in his farewell match for the Republic of Ireland National Team. In the 70th minute, David Mateos kept Keane and Gio both on side. It allowed Gio to pass the ball to Keane who easily tapped it in for LA’s fourth goal of the match.

In the 83rd minute, the crowd received a golden moment. Bruce Arena subbed Landon Donovan on for Raul Mendiola, who played an excellent game. Fans erupted when they saw Donovan put on his jersey with the number 26 to honor the birthday of his son, Talon.

Nearly a year and a half ago, I started writing for CaliSports News just two months after Landon Donovan, my all-time favorite American soccer player, retired. I’m over the moon today because I can now say I have covered an LA Galaxy game in which Donovan played. My heart fluttered when he sprinted on to the field.

Donovan might not have made a physical impact in the game, but I think the momentum and performance before he debuted showed the effect of his mere presence on the LA Galaxy.

In the final minute, Brek Shea scored Orlando’s second goal. A poor LA clearance gave him the ball in the box and he nailed it past Rowe.

Stay tuned for the next LA Galaxy match against Sporting Kansas City next Sunday, September 18, on Fox Sports 1!

Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things LA Galaxy and the rest of the LA sports teams! All Cali, all the time!

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