No Landon Donovan, no problem for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Playing without their star, LA still leads DC United 1-0 at halftime thanks to Mike Magee's finish of a David Beckham corner kick in the 12th minute. With this match at RFK Stadium marking the first of three away matches in nine days for the Galaxy it is imperative that they take points where they can get them and a goal up at halftime is definitely one of those times where they need to take points.
DC United Vs. LA Galaxy: Los Angeles Making Mike Magee’s Goal Stand Up At Halftime
Magee's goal marked the third consecutive Galaxy goal to come from a Beckham set piece and also put DC in the unenvious position of having to chase the game. United has had more of the possession, often pushing into the Los Angeles half, but they have struggled to turn those into scoring chances. The likely introduction fo Charlie Davies in the second half will likely help invigorate a DC attack that has been somewhat held back by their current strikers' inability to test the pace of the Los Angeles back line.
Also worth keeping an eye on in the second half is the card situation. Santino Quaranta has already been shown a yellow card for DC, while Beckham and Todd Dunivant were also cautioned for LA. Beckham's challenge was rash and most certainly was deserving of the card, but it also caused his ankle to start bleeding, staining his sock, and raised the intensity of the match. How both sides conduct themselves in what is becoming a testy match could be the key in the final 45 minutes.
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