Donovan Ties Goals Mark, Galaxy Beat Chivas 5-0
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Landon Donovan scored twice in the first half, tying Jeff Cunningham's MLS career goals record in the Los Angeles Galaxy's 5-0 victory over Chivas USA on Sunday.
Donovan has 134 regular-season goals, passing second-place Jaime Moreno (133) and matching Cunningham's total.
Robbie Keane also scored two goals for the two-time defending champion Galaxy, who ended a four-match winless skid.
Donovan scored in the 23rd minute on a sharp pass from Gyasi Zardes before tying the record in the 41st minute with a beautiful chip shot over Chivas goalie Dan Kennedy.
Zardes scored a goal and helped Donovan set up Keane's opening goal in the sixth minute as the Galaxy trounced their StubHub Center co-tenants. Los Angeles won the SuperClasico rivalry series for the sixth straight year.
The Galaxy won without coach Bruce Arena, who served a one-game suspension for leaving his technical area in last week's loss at Portland to protest a call. Associate head coach Dave Sarachan ran the bench.
Galaxy and U.S. national team defender Omar Gonzalez sat out the second half to rest a strained groin muscle. Gonzalez was called up along with Donovan for the Americans' World Cup qualifying match against Jamaica in Kansas City on Friday.
Donovan bounced back impressively after struggling through a scoreless September on a sprained left ankle. With the Galaxy needing wins to stay in playoff contention, the 31-year-old star finally pulled even with Cunningham, an MLS journeyman who played eight of his 14 seasons with Columbus.
Jaime Penedo earned his third shutout in seven games with the Galaxy.
While Donovan reached milestones and Keane put on yet another multigoal performance, the game also was a showcase for Zardes, whose runs down the left side caused misery for Chivas' defense. The midfielder also scored on a scramble in the box in the 26th minute.
The rivals played an afternoon game on a sweltering day in Southern California, with the temperature reaching 93 degrees at game time. The Galaxy chose a curious day to wear their third jerseys, an all-black ensemble with red and green trim in an homage to the club's original jerseys.
Despite the temperature and their inopportune attire, both teams opened with fire.
Los Angeles opened the scoring when Zardes made a run down the left side and found Donovan, who made a back pass to Keane in the middle of Chivas' disorganized defense.
Donovan then scored on a remarkably similar pass from Zardes, who threaded the ball past three defenders and onto Donovan's foot.
After Zardes scored three minutes later, Donovan capped the first-half barrage with a sharp run onto a pass from Pablo Mastroeni and a delicate chip over Kennedy for the record-tying score.
Keane added his second goal in the 90th minute, giving him 15 goals in 20 games during another standout MLS season.
The Galaxy fans in the Angel City Brigade section chanted "Relocation!" at the Chivas supporters during stoppage time.
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