HOUSTON — Giovani Dos Santos scored a brace — his first two goals of the season — and the Los Angeles Galaxy destroyed the Dynamo, 4-1, in Houston on Friday.
Both teams scored in the first five minutes in what was fascinatingly one of the fastest scoring strikes the MLS has ever seen.
Less than a minute after kickoff, Houston earned a corner kick that they quickly turned into the game's first goal. Alex's cross found the head of David Horst, who buried the ball into the back of the net, and thanks to the set piece, the Dynamo had an early 1-0 lead.
Less than three minutes later, it was Dos Santos who ruined the Dynamo's party as he scored his first goal of the season in the fourth minute. Similarly to Argentina's Lionel Messi, Dos Santos beautifully bent his strike into the bottom right corner of the net for the game-tying goal.
"I'm happy because we got the win," dos Santos said of his performance. "I'm happy for the two goals. I think that I helped the team a lot. I will keep working to get better."
The Galaxy launched into orbit from there, scoring two unanswered goals in the first half, and three overall.
Baggio Hasidic scored the go-ahead goal in the 21st minute and Dos Santos made it a double in the 31st minute thanks to a great pass from midfielder Steven Gerrard.
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"I feel a bit more confident after that performance," dos Santos added. I've been injured a while so to be able to come back and play 90 minutes, have the team win, and get two goals, I'm grateful."
Gerrard returned to the Galaxy lineup for the first time in weeks, after he missed the team's last three matches with a calf injury. Gerrard wore the captain's armband for most of the game with Robbie Keane out with a knee injury.
"Gerrard had a real good game," manager Bruce Arena said. "He's been out three weeks. There's some questions whether he can make it 90 minutes every game, but the conditions we good tonight."
Gyasi Zardes scored a few minutes into the second period, and the rout was on for the Galaxy.
Players of the Game:
Giovani Dos Santos: Two goals.
Gyasi Zardes: Goal.
Three Takeaways:
1. Nigel de Jong Suspension: The LA Galaxy were without midfielder Nigel de Jong who was suspended by the MLS for three games for a controversial tackle on Darlington Nagbe of the Portland Timbers.
LA Galaxy midfielder Nigel de Jong suspended 3 games, fined for tackle on Darlington Nagbe. https://t.co/wmsGixnbVv pic.twitter.com/n5acW7JVR4 — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 15, 2016
2. Gerrard and DeLaGarza Return: Veterans Steven Gerrard and A.J. DeLaGarza both returned to the pitch for the Galaxy on Friday. The team desperately needed their efforts as DeLaGarza anchored the back line and Gerrard assisted on the go-ahead goal.
Steven Gerrard wearing the captain's armband for the #LAGalaxy tonight. #HOUvLA — Adam Serrano (@LAGalaxyInsider) April 15, 2016
3. Gio's Galactic Goal: Less than a week after returning to the pitch in a 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers, Dos Santos opened his campaign with not one, but two goals for the Galaxy. Gio had been criticized recently for his lack of scoring on a team that invested so much money in him. Thankfully, Dos Santos silenced his critics on Friday, a good thing for the Mexican soccer star, the Galaxy and the MLS.
Si el primer gol de @OficialGio te gustó, este te va a encantar!
Mira este GOLAZO---->https://t.co/Qh65vNYGvj — Fútbol MLS (@futbolMLS) April 16, 2016
Up Next:
Dynamo (1-3-2, 5 points): Houston heads to Ohio where they will play the reigning Eastern Conference Champions, the Colombus Crew on April 23, at 4:30PM PST.
Galaxy (3-1-2, 8 points): Los Angeles returns home to host Real Salt Lake on Saturday, April 23, at StubHub Center.
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