For manager Bruce Arena and the LA Galaxy, they couldn’t have scripted Sunday night any better themselves. The Galaxy jumped out to a 4-1 lead over Orlando City by the game’s 70th minute, allowing Arena to substitute the night’s main attraction, Landon Donovan, into the match in the 83rd minute.
Permitting Donovan a few minutes, ending the media frenzy surrounding his comeback and giving the announced crowd of 27,167 a glimpse of what they came for were all positives for the Galaxy.
Donovan’s cameo was restricted to a couple meaningless touches and a great view of Brek Shea's beautiful consolation goal for Orlando, making the final score 4-2 in favor of LA.
When asked about his own performance, Donovan tellingly said: “I’m so far away. I came into a game where both teams were exhausted, and I was the slowest player on the field.”
Goosebumps. #LAvORL https://t.co/yJXNXh6Xdb
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 12, 2016
While Donovan’s return is the main storyline, the true positives include another three points for the Galaxy and another dominant performance from Giovani dos Santos.
The Galaxy climbed to second place in the Western Conference while dos Santos has now registered seven goals and two assists in the Galaxy’s last seven matches.
.@OficialGio is on fire. #LAvORL pic.twitter.com/2xChJxYQNF
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) September 12, 2016
Robbie Keane also returned for the Galaxy after appearing for Ireland over the international break. If both Keane and dos Santos can maintain their current form and Donovan can contribute in any meaningful way, the Galaxy will once again be a team to fear in October.
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