The Los Angeles Galaxy matched up with another defense-first MLS team in the Columbus Crew. The game was testy from the beginning and the first goal was a result of a free kick after David Beckham went down while driving for a goal.
Beckham took the first shot and as the scramble ensued after the missed shot, defender Sean Franklin blasted a shot at the 70-minute mark. The shot was a straight drive on the ground that deflected off a Columbus defender and bounced into the net. Franklin, an MLS All-Star representative for the Galaxy, had not scored a goal all season.
Columbus Crew goalkeeper Will Hesmer had not allowed a goal in three straight games and has been a rock in goal for Columbus. The goal allowed on the Franklin shot was unpreventable for Hesmer. The odd deflection had him leaning the other way and there was nothing he could do.
David Beckham received a yellow card in stoppage-time and the yellow card will result in Beckham missing the next Los Angeles Galaxy MLS game. Beckham was telling the referee the Columbus Crew were not giving him the full 10 yards for his free kick and the referee yellow-carded him for delay of game. Beckham leads the Galaxy in yellow cards.
Andres Mendoza, the Columbus Crews leading goal scorer, went down with a hamstring injury just two minutes into the game and replaced him with Tom Heinemann. The trade out was a huge and immediate boost for the Galaxy, who prepared to deal with the explosive Mendoza for the entire 90 minutes.
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