DC United Vs. LA Galaxy: Controversial Charlie Davies Penalty Gets United 1-1 Draw

The Los Angeles Galaxy struck early to go ahead and just kept holding on and holding on. DC United had a couple chances here and there, but there was any sustained pressure that resulted in many scoring chances. It looked like the Galaxy were going to grab three points to start off their three games in nine days road trip. Then, DC was shown a red card and the Galaxy's win was all but certain. Charlie Davies, with some help from a generous referee gave DC a shocking comeback to share the points with Los Angeles in a 1-1 draw at RFK Stadium.

Davies got the ball with just Omar Gonzalez defending him in the 90th minute and took a touch toward the endline when he went to the turf. It didn't look like there was much contact at first and the replays confirmed it as Gonzalez put the slightest of touches on Davies with his arm, hardly enough to slow him down let alone make Davies go to the turf. Even so, Davies' legs went up, he hit the ground and the referee pointed to the spot. Davies stepped to the spot and chipped it right down the middle for his league-leading fourth goal of the season and third from the penalty spot to get DC the draw.

DC was in a bad spot before Davies scored because of a 12th minute goal by Mike Magee. Los Angeles earned a corner kick and Magee came running in towards the near post. David Beckham's service was perfect, right on Magee's head, and the ball went into the net for a 1-0 LA lead. It was the third consecutive goal that the Galaxy has gotten off of a Beckham set piece and crucial for them because they were playing without Landon Donovan, who was resting up with a bit of a knee injury before Wednesday's match at Toronto FC.

That goal, along with Santino Quaranta's red card had DC looking at a loss. Quaranta picked up a first half yellow card and when he missed on a 50/50 ball in the 85h minute, only to have his studs come down on Gonzalez's ankle. Quaranta saw a second yellow for his sending off. Quaranta was rescued though because just five minutes later Davies drew his penalty, however dubious it may have been, and converted to split the points.