Galaxy can't halt skid, fall to Wizards
Beckham, Donovan, Lewis return in 2-0 loss at Arrowhead Stadium
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The Galaxy saw their winless streak now stretched to a club record 12 games, as Josh Wolff and Davy Arnaud scored midway through the second half to give the home side the victory at Arrowhead Stadium.
Wolff scored the first goal of the match in the 67th minute, taking advantage of a crisp pass. From deep in the far corner, Midfielder Herculez Gomez threaded a pass to Wizards forward Josh Wolff, who pounded the ball home after spinning away from his marker.
The Wizards seemed to solve their offensive problems quickly. Davy Arnaud unleashed a bomb from 35 yards out that found the goal past Galaxy 'keeper Josh Wicks in the 69th minute. It was the third goal in as many matches for Arnaud.
The Galaxy started well. Forward Edson Buddle had his team's first offensive threat, letting go with a 20-yard blast in the ninth minute, but the shot kept climbing and sailed over the crossbar.
Landon Donovan then worked his way free on the left flank in the 12th minute. Donovan fired a ground hugging shot which was snagged by Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.
The first half of the match was marked by missed opportunities for both teams. The Wizards missed a connection with Gomez and saw another possible opportunity waved outside.
The Galaxy also had their chances, but mainly missed on the execution of those chances. A few times their lead passes were scooped up by Hartman well off his line, some 10 or 15 yards from goal. David Beckham's had a freekick from 32 yards in the 41st minute that soared over the goal.
As the half wound down, the Galaxy and Wizards continued their futility, but at least they were getting closer to the goal. Buddle just missed from 15 yards out, followed by a dead on shot by Kansas City's Abe Thompson.
The Wizards followed that up with Arnaud leaving a ball for defender Jack Jewsbury, but his shot was deflected by Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Wicks. Wizards forward Abe Thompson was there for the rebound, but was unable to convert on the chance.
In the second half, the Galaxy went close when Beckham let a shot rip from 20 yards out, but the shot was wide of the near post.
The Wizards had a chance of their own after an excellent pass from midfielder Roger Espinoza. Espinoza's pass crossed in front of the net and found forward Abe Thompson. But Thompson too put the ball high over the goal.
Both teams continued to threaten. The strongest chance of the match thus far came on Gomez's free kick in the 64th minute. Wicks dove towards the far post, and got just enough of the ball to deflect the ball out of bounds.
Then came the double-strike. Wolff scored his second goal after rejoining the Wizards in July from 1860 Munich, while Arnaud followed with his third goal in as many games.
The Wizards will play host to Toronto FC next week in the next game that will loom large while the Galaxy will entertain D.C. United in the next must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Thomas Foote is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
