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The LA Galaxy played the Montreal Impact tough in the second half to draw level 1-1 after giving up the opening goal in the 8th minute of the match. David Beckham scored the equalizer in the 61' on a free kick. It's the Galaxy's first point awarded in three MLS matches.
Beckham's free kick opportunity came after Landon Donovan was fouled thirty yards away from goal. With everyone including Donovan Ricketts expecting a cross, David Beckham was able to send in a bending strike on goal that snuck just inside the near post.
The Galaxy went down in the 8', after A.J. DeLaGarza and Dan Keat miscued on the last man back. DeLaGarza went for a cheap stop that left Keat unsure whether to trap or to hang back. As a result he was a step behind Davy Arnaud who sprinted the ball in for a quick chip over Brian Perk.
The lineup for the Galaxy was full of changes. Brian Perk had recovered enough from his sports hernia surgery to rejoin the senior squad. He takes over the starting position as Josh Saunders is still unavailable. Dan Keat started at center back in the midweek reserve match, and was chosen to start there tonight with David Junior Lopes unavailable with a right hamstring strain.
Up top, Edson Buddle was unavailable with a right adductor strain, so Landon Donovan started at forward with Robbie Keane. This meant Kyle Nakazawa got the start at Landon Donovan's normal position. Mike Magee also started on the bench, with Michael Stephens getting the nod, but Magee was brought in just after halftime.
The other two substitutions were Marcelo Sarvas in for Juninho, and Pat Noonan in for Nakazawa. Would have rather seen these two starts, since Noonan in Seattle and Sarvas and Alajuelense both played on turf last year. Sarvas was able to get off a brilliant strike on Ricketts after coming on that required a fingertip save; whereas Donovan constantly looked baffled by the ball's behavior.
The Galaxy will have another great opportunity to pick up points the next few weeks, with the LA derby match on Saturday, and then a midweek match against San Jose. The Earthquakes are white hot, but midweek travel is never easy.
LA will not come directly home after the Montreal match, making a stop over in Washington DC for an event with the President of the United States on Tuesday.