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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Galaxy thump Sounders

Donovan nets goal, two assists for L.A.

Galaxy's Robbie Rogers, left, and A.J. DeLaGarza pursue the ball after Sounders’ Obafemi Martins bites the turf Monday. (Associated Press)
Tim Booth Associated Press

SEATTLE – Landon Donovan pushed himself early in the season so he was ready for the international stage. When he was left off the United States’ roster for the World Cup, there was an understandable letdown in Donovan’s performance for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

“I really pushed myself to be playing well in April and May this year and I was, and I just dropped off a little bit and it’s important for me to get back to that,” Donovan said. “Again, this is only one night. It’s got to continue and that’s what’s expected of me and that’s what I expect of myself.”

Donovan started finding that form again on Monday night, assisting on two goals and scoring one in Los Angeles’ impressive 3-0 win over the Seattle Sounders.

Donovan assisted on Gyasi Zardes’ goal in the eighth minute, scored off a rebound 10 minutes later and picked up a second assist on Stefan Ishizaki’s goal in the 36th minute as the Galaxy won for the fourth time in six matches and just as they’re getting their roster together again.

Monday was the first time Omar Gonzalez played for the Galaxy since May 3 and Robbie Rogers returned after missing the last two games.

“We’re just beginning to get our team on the field,” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. “We’ve gone through a half a season of misery dealing with the injuries and absences. Hopefully we can get a little more of a solidified unit.”

The Western Conference-leading Sounders suffered one of their worst home MLS losses in team history. Seattle lost 4-1 last season at home to Vancouver. The worst home loss was 4-0 to L.A. in 2010 that prompted Sounders management to offer refunds to fans.

Seattle had won four of its previous five MLS matches and had a six-game home win streak, but was playing a league game for the first time in more than two weeks.