LA Galaxy make Red Bulls look average in 4-0 victory

It was the LA Galaxy's (16-5-9, 57 pts) night through and through, and with a great team victory as the backdrop it was also the night when Landon Donovan tied Steve Ralston's assist record. He needed three assists on the night to do it, all direct assists, as he was incredibly active in the final third creating chances for some of the league's best finishers.

With the win LA keeps pace with the Seattle Sounders, who own the wins tiebreaker, for the Supporters' Shield lead. It also takes the team's unbeaten streak to nine games, best such streak of the season. With only one loss the Galaxy also hold the best home record in MLS.

The night ultimately belonged to Donovan, although this wasn't known until after the final whistle. Donovan was awarded his 133rd assist on Robbie Keane's eighth minute chip, and then his 134th assist working on a 16 pass sequence that ended with Gyasi Zardes putting the Galaxy up 3-0. His lob to Robbie Keane in the penalty area was initially called an unassisted goal, but then Opta put the record straight. After the match Keane said that anyone who has played football would know that was an assist.

If there was an overarching theme it was vision; specifically how good the Galaxy veterans are at seeing the whole field. Robbie Keane's goal in the 8th minute was a matter of him seeing Luis Robles off his line, then putting his head down to take on defenders and knowing the chip would still be there. On his record tying assist Donovan had just stolen the ball and knew a perfectly placed lob would hit a streaking Keane in stride. See the situation, and then execute.

Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes are neck and neck for the team Golden Boot lead, with Zardes currently at 16 and Keane with one more. Seeing Zardes in his Sophmore year really figure out when to make runs and when to pull the trigger has been something. Keane and Donovan have really guided him this season.

Jaime Penedo was also excellent, making key saves when the match was still 1-0. The LA galaxy back line was able to shut down league scoring leader Bradley Wright Phillips, and Thierry Henry was limited from doing anything that could end up on a highlight reel. That's a boon there too.

It's going to be a fight to the finish between the Galaxy and Seattle. Tonight, at the very least, LA showed they're up for it.