LA Galaxy 3-0 San Jose Earthquakes
Post game reactions (LA Galaxy)
LA GALAXY HEAD COACH BRUCE ARENA
On tonight’s match:
“I think our team played well tonight. San Jose played real hard in the first half, came out hard. The first goal was very important. I think they threw a lot into the game in the first half. You can see in the second half they lost their legs a little bit. Our team played well. It was a game winner. As the game went on, our passing improved. I thought we scored some good goals. Overall, a good performance. A good team effort.”
On the importance of the game:
“Every game is important. What can I tell you? The next game is important. I’m asked that question game every week. They are all very important. We want to win every time we step onto the field. They are all important at this point in the season.”
On the play of the Earthquakes:
“Mike Stephens made a mistake at the end of the game, which probably gave them their best chance. They had a couple shots from distance throughout the game. There may have been a corner kick in the second half, as well. They were dangerous. Overall, our entire group played very well. Our backline was fantastic. Jaime has a good presence in the goal, as well.”
On the play of Jaime Penedo:
“He’s an experienced goalkeeper. When called on, he’s come up for us in the last three or four games. He’s certainly going to get tested a little bit more. I think he’s played very well. He’s given up two goals in four games. Jaime’s obviously doing well.”
LA GALAXY FORWARD ROBBIE KEANE
On the win:
“It was a good performance. From the start it didn’t look like they would cause us any problem. A goal came on a typical play from us, a counterattack, and we were sharp on the break, and once you get the first goal it kind of opened from there.”
On his second goal:
“It was a good ball from Gyasi, good header from Sean. That ultimately put the game away.”
On the Galaxy’s four-game winning streak in all competitions:
“I think we’re certainly starting [to get it going] if you look at the last few games. I think in this league it’s important that you get back-to-back wins, it’s amazing how it pushes you right up there and keeps you in contention. Certainly in the last month or so it’s important that we’ve done that. Big test for the players now that are going to be here [to face Colorado on Sept. 7] because the international players are going away so it’s good opportunity for the younger lads to stake a claim, keep it going and hopefully get points on the board for us.”
On scoring seven goals in the last five games:
“It’s nice to score, it’s always nice to score. I know I was out for a few weeks but I keep saying I don’t like being injured, it’s frustrating, so it’s just nice to be back playing and scoring the goals and helping the team progress and get the points on the board.”
LA GALAXY FORWARD LANDON DONOVAN
On beating San Jose 3-0 at home:
“We’re playing well. The team is playing well and full of confidence. I think we are defending really well, I don’t think Jaime had a whole lot to do. We are attacking well, we’re moving the ball well, everything’s clicking, and I think we felt that when we had our whole team together that this was possible so we’re real happy how things are going and want to keep making a push and catch Salt Lake.”
On protecting a lead against San Jose:
“We talked about it at halftime a lot. We’re up 2-0 but with this team anything can happen. We wanted to make sure we played a full 90 minutes and I think we’ve started to build that over the last few weeks. It’s not always perfect, but I think we are getting better and better. And when we do that, and put together a complete game, we feel like we are going to win a lot of games.”
On scoring five goals in the last five games with the Galaxy:
“I feel real good about how I’m playing. I’m just enjoying it a lot, I’m really happy out there. The energy seems to come to me really easy right now and I think when I’m energetic I create a lot of chances. It doesn’t mean I’m always going to score, but if I’m energetic I think I’m always going to be effective and that’s what I’m trying to do right now.”
