Once again, the Los Angeles Galaxy welcomed a new season without a victory. However, the Galaxy could feel good while leaving the field at The Home Depot Center after salvaging a point with a late 2-2 draw with D.C. United in the season opener for both teams.
And the Galaxy certainly have their captain, Landon Donovan, to thank for the outcome.
Donovan scored twice in a span of six minutes late in the match to secure the tie. His first came via a penalty kick in the 80th minute and then the equalizer in the 85th minute via a header from the goal area.
Donovan took a long centered pass from Kyle Patterson from left to right, sending it past United goalkeeper Josh Wicks. The Galaxy forward timed Patterson's pass correctly before sneaking behind United's backline.
United had taken a two-goal lead with goals from Christian Gomez in the 44th minute, also from the penalty spot, and rookie Chris Pontius in the 62nd minute.
The Galaxy have not won a season opening match since a 3-2 win against New England in 2005. They are now 0-3-2 in season openers since that match.
The first 20 minutes of the match were mostly played in United's half of the field. The clearest opportunity at goal came in the 20th minute when Donovan poked a ball wide left after taking a Chris Klein centered pass from right to left. Donovan tried volleying the ball over Wicks but he didn't have a comfortable angle.
Galaxy first-round draft selection Omar Gonzalez came inches from scoring via header off a Donovan corner kick in the 39th minute. Gonzalez's shot whiffed inches wide from the left post.
United had a handful of chances at goal in the first half, but took the lead just before the break.
Midfielder Christian Gomez converted from the penalty spot after referee Jair Marrufo whistled Galaxy midfielder Dema Kovalenko for fouling Gomez near the penalty spot a minute earlier.
It took Marrufo several seconds before he called the foul. He checked with linesman Fabio Tovar who was waving his flag, marking the foul.
Boos rained from the stands as Galaxy players protested the call, including Donovan.
D.C. United came out fast in the second half, pressuring the Galaxy's defense contrary to the first half. Pontius sent a couple of shots off target while Luciano Emilio had a shot blocked by Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders in the 54th minute.
Pontius' tries finally paid off. He scored his first Major League Soccer goal in the 62nd minute, cutting into the area before bending a curving shot from 17 yards out into the upper right corner of the goal to give United a 2-0 lead.
Donovan cut United's lead to 2-1 with a penalty kick called after D.C. defender Rodney Wallace was called for a handball in the penalty area, which was also met with recriminations from United. Wicks received a yellow card for arguing the call, which didn't prevent Donovan from scoring.
That set the stage for Donovan's late heroics, and he came through to bring the Galaxy all the way back.
Ivan Orozco is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
