Robbie Keane scored two goals only minutes apart and Landon Donovan captured the MLS all-time assists record to help the LA Galaxy make quick work of Toronto FC 3-0 at the Stub Hub Center in Carson California Saturday Night.
It seems only fitting that, on what would be TFC's final dance with Donovan (unless by some twist of fate these two sides meet in the MLS Cup Final), that the poster boy for American soccer would set another MLS record before his retirement.
It was on Robbie Keane's second tally of the night in the 25th that Donovan altered the record books. His 136th assist came when he sent a clean diagonal through ball up the right flank to AJ DeLaGarza who sailed a cross to an unmarked Keane. His highlight reel worthy half volley hit the side netting leaving goalkeeper Joe Bendik and the rest of TFC's defence flat footed.
Keane’s first goal came three minutes prior. Marco Sarvas played a give and go with Baggio Husidic in the Toronto Box to part two defenders with a centering pass to Keane. He slipped passed Reds’ Captain Steven Caldwell and fired the ball in to the right side.
Donovan's helper was his 19th of the season, which set a new career high for the American and tied a MLS single season record set by Guillermo Barros Schelotto for the Columbus Crew in 2008.
Keane's two tallies give him 19 on the year, five back of New York's Bradley Wright-Phillips who leads the league. The Irishman’s goals marked his 13th multi-score game since becoming a member of the Galaxy and his fourth of the season. His performance continues to keep him in the conversation for league MVP honours.
TFC entered Saturday’s contest with back to back wins. Coach Greg Vanney made some changes to the line-up that most recently topped the Portland Timbers 3-2 after trailing 2-0. Warren Creavalle stepped in at right back due to Mark Bloom’s knee injury. Gilberto also didn’t see action as he was nursing his hamstring which forced Dominic Oduro to play up front and Jonathan Osorio on the wing in midfield. Kyle Bekker was slotted in the middle alongside Michael Bradley
Early in the first half LA lost Robbie Rogers to a hamstring injury. This allowed James Riley to see his first touches since tearing his meniscus late March.
Toronto matched LA in shot totals but failed to get more than one on target in comparison to the Galaxy’s seven. The lone shot on target came in the sixth minute from a Luke Moore shot that Jaime Penedo was able to gather.
Another great opportunity for the Reds came halfway through the first when Daniel Lovitz fed Luke Moore, but his attempt hit the post.
The Reds welcomed back Jermain Defoe after he spent two months sidelined with a groin injury. Easing back into the lineup, Defoe entered the game in the 60th minute for Daniel Lovitz. He drew a foul and managed three shots. After the match Defoe said he felt good, and didn’t have any soreness from play. He was impressed with how his team responded in the final frame, “If we are to take any positives from the game it’s probably the way we moved the ball in the second half.”
Defoe had an opportunity to connect with Osorio but his pass was cut off in the six yard box.
Former TFC player Alan Gordon notched the final goal for LA deep into second half stoppage time off a feed from Sarvas. This his fourth goal off the bench since joining the Galaxy in August. Flashback to June 2011 when Gordon scored his second of the night in the 94th as a member of the Reds in a match against the Galaxy.
Toronto fail to gain any ground in a hunt for their first playoff appearance in franchise history. They sit three points back of the Columbus Crew for fifth but have a game in hand on all those they contend for a playoff spot with.
LA meanwhile has have scored three or more goals in eight of their last 14 matches, to extend their unbeaten streak to 10 games. With the win The Galaxy pull three points ahead of the Seattle Sounders in the race for first in the west as well as the Supporter’s Shield. Seattle battle the Colorado Rapids Sunday afternoon.
TFC host the Houston Dynamo Wednesday night at BMO field before rounding out the regular season with matches against New York on the road, Montreal at home, and away to New England.