By Debby von Winckelmann
Giovani dos Santos tallied two goals and two assists in Sunday’s 4-2 win against Orlando City SC at the StubHub Center.
The LA Galaxy was firing on all cylinders on Sunday at the StubHub Center, defeating Orlando City SC 4-2 and moving into second place in the Western Conference.
LA had goals from Giovani dos Santos, Alan Gordon, and Robbie Keane, who returned to the pitch after a four-game absence. Jelle Van Damme, who also returned from injury, not only provided a powerful defensive effort, but also chipped in two assists for the match.
Dos Santos led LA with two goals and two assists, continuing his hot streak of the last eight days, during which he has scored five goals and handed out three assists.
“I feel like I am in the best moment of my career, I’ve never felt this way,” dos Santos said. “I feel very good, my finish is good. The team is doing good, so I feel great right now.”
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said that dos Santos was doing well both offensively and defensively, adding that his playing time was contributing to dos Santos’ improvements.
“This season is probably the fullest season he’s had in his career,” Arena said. “And you can see that he’s now getting fitter, getting more experienced, understanding this league and understanding the things that he needs to do to make himself a better player and also make our team a better team. And you can see that happening. He has 14 goals now. For that position, that’s pretty good. In that position, strikers usually score that many goals and he’s not a striker. It’s pretty good stuff.”
The match didn’t start out in LA’s favor, with Orlando City getting on the board first after Kevin Molino was able to follow-up on a Cyle Larin shot that deflected off of Jelle Van Damme in the 20th minute.
Dos Santos answered with his first goal of the match in the 35th minute, scoring on a cross from. Emmanuel Boateng. Gordon, who made his second start in the last three games, scored just three minutes later.
In the 45th minute, Orlando’s Jose Aja fouled Gordon in the box and dos Santos converted the penalty kick to put LA up 3-1 at the break.
Keane came off the bench in the 60th minute, returning to the pitch after missing the last four games due to injury, and capped the Galaxy scoring in the 70th.
With the Galaxy leading 4-1, fans began to chant for Landon Donovan to take the field. In the 83rd minute, Donovan replaced Raul Mendiola, and although he was only on the field for a short time, it was long enough to see some of the rust that has accumulated since his 2014 retirement.
After the game, Arena said Donovan has a long ways to go and that he got on the treadmill after the game, a fact verified by Donovan at the post-game press conference.
“I did (get on the treadmill),” Donovan said. “Did you watch me play? I need to get fit. I came into a game where both teams were exhausted and I was the slowest player on the field. So I need to get myself ready to compete in a real way. Bruce and the coaching staff need to know that when they put me in, it can mean something. So tonight worked out well. But I need to be able to contribute.”
And, as happens too often, LA gave up a goal in the waning moments of the game. Orlando substitute Brek Shea scored in extra time to bring the final score to 4-2.
The Galaxy will travel next week to play Sporting Kansas City on Sunday at Children’s Mercy Park.
