CARSON, CA (Sept. 24, 2010) – A stout defensive effort and goals from Dane Richards and Juan Pablo Angel gave the New York Red Bulls a 2-0 shutout road win over the MLS-best Los Angeles Galaxy Friday night at The Home Depot Center. With the victory, the Red Bulls improved to 44 points off a 13-8-5 record and moved into a first-place tie in the Eastern Conference with the Columbus Crew. Los Angeles, which came into the match with a League-leading 50 points, is now 15-6-5.
New York midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy had the first chance for either side 14 minutes in when he had space from 25 yards out and fired a shot that a diving goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts pushed away. Five minutes later, Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, making his first start in the 2010 MLS season, curled a pass to Edson Buddle, whose deflected shot skipped just past the right post. The Red Bulls continued pressuring and Joel Lindpere knocked on the door in the 28th minute, making a run into the box after gathering a Roy Miller feed and rolling it inches wide.
Lindpere would play a large role in the game’s opening goal nine minutes from halftime. Off a throw-in, the ball was headed up into the air by Yohance Marshall and run onto by Lindpere, who had time and space to blast a shot off the left post. The rebound was knocked home from close range by Richards, who tallied his third goal of the season.
The Red Bulls extended their lead in the 60th minute and the pesky Richards this time created the scoring opportunity. Carlos Mendes slid the ball clear to Richards, who had space to run at the Galaxy defense. Marshall took down the midfielder in the box and referee Ricardo Salazar pointed to the penalty spot. Angel stepped up and put home his team-leading 13th goal of the season, tucking the ball in the left corner.
Los Angeles tried to get back into the match and in the 66th minute, Beckham’s free kick attempt curled over the wall and was parried away by Coundoul. With five minutes remaining, substitute Tristan Bowen tested Coundoul from the right side and the goalkeeper went down to save it.