Across the Pond
David Beckham and the LA Galaxy had to settle for a point on Saturday despite taking a two goal lead against the Columbus Crew. Landon Donovan put the Galaxy ahead when he got on the end of a volleyed David Beckham cross to head home to net his 10th goal of the season. Beckham almost found the net himself after capitalising on poor kick from the Columbus goalkeeper. The former Manchester United man bit a speculative 35 yard shot, only to see it go just over the bar.
Just after half time, Edson Buddle gave the Galaxy a two goal advantage. Budson showed great skill to bypass two defenders before cooly slotting the ball in to the far corner. At this point Galaxy looked comfortable and were playing some attractive football and looking comfortable. That was until after 67 minutes when Columbus pulled one back, instigating an exciting end to the game.
Just three minutes later, Rogers was tripped in the penalty area by Klein giving Crew the chance to level up. The penalty was lashed straight down the middle with some force and with the Galaxy keeper diving down to his left, it meant that Crew had equalised.
With 20 minutes to go, the game was delicately poised and was vital that both teams kept their heads. Penalty, this time though for the Galaxy; Edson Buddle showed great vision to pick out Beckham on the edge of the area who was brought down just before he was about to pull the trigger. Landon Donovan was given the responsibility of taking the spot kick and side footed his penalty into the bottom right hand corner, to give Galaxy the lead with just 8 minutes remaining.
All the Galaxy had to do was just hang on butjust 4 minutes later, former Everton and Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier hacked down Ricardo Pierre-Louis on the just outside the area giving Columbus a free kick.
A well worked free kick saw a ball played out to the edge of the area to for a shot on goal, the goal keeper spilled the shot into the path of rookie, Steven Lenhart who had the simple task of tapping it in from close range.
Beckham had a chance to win it for Galaxy after 89 minutes; just 6 yards out Beckham let rip with a thunderous strike only for it to see it go over the top of the cross bar and so, as a result, the game ended a 3-3 draw. A truly entertaining much but nevertheless, the Galaxy faithful showed their displeasure with a rapture of boo's when the final whistle was blown.
Heading north of the border and into Ontario now to take a look at what Danny Dichio and his Toronto FC team mates have been up to as they played host to the Kansas City Wizards.
Despite both teams having a lot of chances the game finished a 0-0 draw. Toronto's best chance of the game was in the hands of Danny Dichio. Jeff Cunningham picked out Dichio in the penalty area but saw his shot saved by Wizards keeper Kevin Hartman.
The only positives that can really be taken from the game are that Toronto have further extended their unbeaten home run, as they have not lost at home since September 2007. As for Kansas, well they can take credit as being one of only three teams to take a point away from Toronto at home.
Up next for Toronto is the visit to the New England Revolution and face Preston North End transfer target, Taylor Twellman.
Meanwhile The Galaxy head to the capital to face DC United on Sunday 29th June.
There seems to be no more news on the Brian McBride situation other than that Toronto are playing hardball. Coach Mo Johnson has stated that he wants either Brian McBride of "something big in return". The reason that McBride is so keen to join Chicago Fire is because it is his hometown team.