CARSON, Calif. — Goalkeeper Josh Saunders made a triumphant return to the starting lineup making four saves and earning a shutout following a seven-game absence to help the Los Angeles Galaxy beat the Portland Timbers 1-0 on Sunday night.
The victory snapped a seven-game winless streak for the Galaxy in MLS play.
The match was a back and forth affair from the start as both teams traded chances in the first 10 minutes. The first came in the second minute when a Marcelo Sarvas header was stopped by the face of Portland goalkeeper Troy Perkins before Saunders made a stop of his own with his face to prevent a Kris Boyd shot from going into the back of the net.
With Saunders holding the shutout, the Galaxy were able to find the winning goal in the 61st minute when a David Beckham corner kick found Todd Dunivant far post.
“David obviously serves in an incredible set piece. He put the ball in the back post. We kind of had talked about it at halftime. We'd had a few to the front post and I said to try the back post. I found a little space back there and was able to nod it home.”
— The Associated Press
