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LA Galaxy come from behind to thrash D.C. United 4-1

By Mike Gray
Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

The Galaxy relied on some Mike Magee magic for their home opener, as the halftime substitute logged an assist, scored the game winner in superb style, drew a penalty, then scored again for fun as LA came from behind to demolish D.C. United 4-1 at a chilly StubHub Center Sunday night.

Galaxy fans were already in a grumpy mood following the club's CONCACAF Champions League exit, so it didn't help matters when D.C. got on the board early.

Steven Gerrard turned the ball over in the midfield and United pounced, as Lamar Neagle raced down the field alone before firing a low shot past Dan Kennedy.

Both sides struggled to generate a ton of offense the first half, as the Galaxy in particular suffered from a lack of ideas in the final third, despite some neat combination play.

The second half was a different story for LA as the Galaxy began to carve out quality chances. LA had a golden opportunity to level the match when Sebastian Lletget sprinted down the right wing and floated a far post cross to a wide-open Robbie Keane, who's header beat goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra but hit the turf strongly before crashing off the crossbar. Moments later, Ashley Cole cut back a dangerous ball for Keane but his shot was blocked as LA smelled blood.

Finally in the 54th minute, the Galaxy broke through. Off a Galaxy corner kick, substitute Mike Magee played in a swerving cross and Steres timed his run to perfection, powerfully smashing home a header from close rage into the left corner of the net.

Ten minutes later, LA went ahead. With time and space on the right wing, Lletget chipped to Mike Magee, and the former Chicago Fire man did well to hesitate before lifting a simple finish over the head of Dysktra.

The Galaxy were feeling it at this point, and when Magee was hauled down in the box after touching past Dysktra, Keane stepped up and did not hesistate, easily finishing low and hard.

Finally in the 87th minute, Steven Gerrard sent in a free kick and Magee was there to put away the glancing header, completing an improbable brace.

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