Grand Opening for Galaxy

Mike Magee scores twice to lead the Galaxy past D.C. United.

Mike Magee scores twice to lead the Galaxy past D.C. United. (Photo by Duane Barker)

By Tim Peterson

(Carson) – The Galaxy scored all of its goals in the second half and went on to beat DC United 4-1 Sunday night before an opening night crowd of 25, 667 at StubHub Center.

LA erased a 1-0 halftime deficit with a four goal blitz in the second to turn the game into a rout. DC United got on the board first when Lamar Neagle took advantage of a Galaxy turnover and beat Galaxy goalkeeper Dan Kennedy in the fifth minute for the first strike of the game. But that was all DCU could muster.

Dan Kennedy was injured in the 19th minute and replaced by Brian Rowe.

Steven Gerrard had a free kick after a penalty but it went straight into the wall. Sebastian Lletget had an opportunity but was denied inside the box in the 39th minute.

Robbie Keane drills home a penalty kick the the Galaxy's 4-1 win over D.C. United (Photo by Duane Barker)

Robbie Keane drills home a penalty kick the the Galaxy’s 4-1 win over D.C. United (Photo by Duane Barker)

Rowe made a big save at the other end for the Galaxy in the 43rd minute as he stopped a shot by Luciano Acosta right in front of the net.

Giovani Dos Santos tried to tie it in the 45th minute but he fired his shot over the bar off of a free kick by Gerrard.

Six minutes of additional time were added in the first half due to injury delays before DC United took a 1-0 lead into the half. Then the Galaxy broke loose.

LA was buzzing around the net early in the second half. First Gyasi Zardes was denied on a header at point blank range. Finally after the Galaxy continued to press, Daniel Steres, making his MLS debut, put one in the back of the net in the 54th minute on a corner assist from Mike Magee.

Nick DeLeon nearly put DC back in front as he hit the post at the other end three minutes later. In the 65th minute Magee put the Galaxy up 2-1 as he popped one over the head of DC United goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra from the left side.

Zardes rifled a long shot from the left side in the 69th minute but it was hauled in by Dykstra.

Magee was knocked down on a break away in the 83rd minute and then Robbie Keane knocked in the penalty kick to give the Galaxy some insurance and a 3-1 lead.

Four minutes later Magee got his second goal of the night off of another free kick by Gerrard.

Three more minutes of additional time were added but it didn’t matter as the Galaxy rolled to the win and got the 2016 season started on the right foot.

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