Galaxy Atop MLS Table With 3-1 Win Over Dallas
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CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Steven Gerrard scored his first goal since his MLS debut, and the LA Galaxy climbed atop the overall league standings with a 3-2 victory over FC Dallas on Sunday night.
Giovani Dos Santos and Robbie Keane scored in the first half before Gerrard connected in the 57th minute as the Galaxy ended their perplexing three-game scoreless stretch with a barrage of goals from their talent-laden roster. All three of the Galaxy's designated players scored in the same match for the first time.
The Galaxy (14-9-8) moved past Vancouver and the New York Red Bulls with 50 points in the Supporters' Shield race, but the Whitecaps, Red Bulls and FC Dallas all have games in hand on the defending MLS Cup champions.
Michael Barrios and Atiba Harris scored for FC Dallas (14-10-5), which began the night even with the Galaxy with 47 points. Dallas has lost two straight, but has two games in hand on the Galaxy.
The victory ended a strange five-week stretch without an MLS goal for the Galaxy, who went 0-2-1 and wasted the chance to take a sizable lead in the regular-season race. After a high-profile 5-1 victory over New York City FC on Aug. 23, the Galaxy were shut out by San Jose, Montreal and Real Salt Lake.
Dos Santos ended the Galaxy's 290-minute scoring drought just 11 minutes in, converting a cross from Gyasi Zardes during a slick sequence of possession started by Robbie Rogers' adroit header by the sideline.
Keane then scored from the top of the penalty area with ample room to shoot after an exceptional touch by Dos Santos. The Irish captain and his Mexican teammate then celebrated by doing the nae nae.
Barrios scored a strange goal all by himself later in the half, popping a header just over leaping goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.
Keane hit the crossbar twice in the second half, but Gerrard cleaned up a corner kick in the box. The former England captain and Liverpool star had played eight MLS games without a goal since his debut July 17.
Harris scored rather easily in the 86th minute, but the Galaxy hung on in front of their sixth straight MLS sellout crowd at StubHub Center.
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