'Huge' win over Chivas excites Donovan, Galaxy
L.A. comes back from disappointing 2008 to earn conference final berth
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To really know how the coaches and players felt after the hard-earned triumph in front of an enthusiastic, sellout crowd at The Home Depot Center, one must know where they came from -- specifically, a three-year playoff drought climaxed with the stunning collapse of 2008, when they tied for the worst record in MLS.
Landon Donovan, who scored Sunday's winning goal on a penalty kick in the 73rd minute, took particular pleasure in the impact the victory had on the once-proud organization. He took note of the fact that Tim Leiweke of AEG, the club's investor-operator, was in attendance.
Donovan also said he "could see it in Bruce's face," referring to Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena.
"It's huge for our franchise," Donovan said. "Myself, Gordo (Alan Gordon), Cobi (Jones) ... we kind of understand what this all means. But we're not satisfied ... that's not good enough for us. Now we have a big opportunity to do something special.
"If you told me before the year we had a game at home against Houston to go to the MLS Cup Final I'd be excited. And I'm real excited for it."
That game against the Dynamo will be played on Friday night at The Home Depot Center. The winner advances to MLS Cup 2009, which is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 22 in Seattle.
Rookie defender Omar Gonzalez said he feels fortunate to have been part of the team's impressive turnaround. The first-round draft choice out of the University of Maryland has been a fixture on the back line almost from the day he arrived in training camp in late January and was the only player on the Galaxy to have started every game this season.
"Coming back from last year and turning it all around and to be a part of that is great," he said. "To be playing with these guys I couldn't be at a better place. I'm loving it."
Said Dema Kovalenko, one of a number of new players Arena and his staff brought in this year: "We worked hard all year to be here. We deserve it."
Even Arena got caught up in the result, and only rarely has he given a glimpse of his true feelings.
"It's as special for me as the players and everybody else," he said. "This has been one of my more enjoyable jobs in the last 30-35 years. I come in every day and these guys are a pleasure to work with. I think their vested interest in the team has made a difference.
"They lead, they get things right and they make my job a lot easier. This was a special game for those players, the things they did over the last six months to put the team in this position."
Arena said he could feel the sellout crowd's anticipation from the opening kickoff. Donovan said the victory almost felt like a reward for the Galaxy fans' unwavering support over the last several years.
Donovan even ran toward the corner of the field where the Galaxy's rabid fan base, the "Riot Squad," sits and celebrated with them. He also dedicated his goal to fellow U.S. national team member Charlie Davies, who is recovering from injuries suffered in a recent automobile accident and likely will not be able to play in next year's World Cup in South Africa.
"We have some loyal fans and it's been a rough three years," Donovan said. "Their expectations are high and they've been let down, so it was nice to reward them.
"We hope there's another sellout crowd of Friday and they'll be loud again."
Larry Morgan is a contributor to MLSnet.com
