The LA Galaxy wrapped up the year 2008 with an impressive 3-0 win over the Oceania All-Stars at Mt. Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. In the Galaxy's second visit to New Zealand in as many years, Jovan Kirovski, Alan Gordon and Brandon McDonald scored first half goals to give the Galaxy the win in front of 16,600 fans, many of whom were wearing Galaxy jerseys.
Just two minutes into the game the Galaxy nearly went in front as David Beckham lashed a right-footed shot from the top of the box, only for his former Manchester United teammate Mark Bosnich to dive to his left to parry the ball away for a corner.
However, Bosnich would not be so lucky a minute later as the Galaxy went in front 1-0. Mike Randolph's cross from the left wing found Chris Klein at the top of the box. He headed the ball forward to Alan Gordon, who knocked it down for another former Man United man, Jovan Kirovski. Kirovski hit a first time volley past Bosnich at his right post, giving LA a 1-0 advantage.
The Galaxy continued to dominate the run of play as the match continued, with Eddie Lewis going close with a low, left-footed shot that skidded just out of the reach of the sliding Alan Gordon and just outside the far post.
It was 2-0 in the 14th minute when Alan Gordon got free inside the box to beat Bosnich with a header from eight yards out. Beckham collected the ball in the center of the field and played it forward on the left to Eddie Lewis. With plenty of space in front of him, Lewis placed a pinpoint cross onto the head of Gordon, who easily beat Bosnich with a header and proceeded to celebrate his goal with an improvised version of the famous Maori Haka dance.
Oceania had their first chance of the half in the 27th minute, but Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Jarrod Smith fired a shot high and wide of Josh Wicks' goal.
Five minutes later the Galaxy made it 3-0 as Brandon McDonald beat Bosnich with a free header inside the box off a Beckham corner from the left side. A Beckham freekick was deflected out for a corner, which was curled to the back post for McDonald who was unmarked, leaving him the easiest of finishes.
McDonald nearly had a second five minutes later as a Beckham freekick from the right found him free again in the box. This time however, his low header was saved by Bosnich. The rebound fell inside the six yard box, but Oceania defender Ivan Vicelich was able to clear the ball off the line just before Chris Klein could reach the ball.
Down three goals, the All-Stars tried to pull one back in the 39th minute. An Edgar Davids freekick from the right flank found Steven Old in the box, but his low header was saved and held by Wicks.
The Galaxy nearly grabbed a fourth just before the intermission as a long ball from midfield put Klein in behind the Oceania defense, but his attempted lob went high and wide of Bosnich's goal, keeping the score at 3-0 going into the break.
The fireworks of the first half would not be replicated in the second 45 minutes as the string of substitutions slowed the game down considerably, with neither team being able to get on the scoreboard.
Kirovski went close off a Beckham cross from the right and Eddie Lewis continued to cause problems for the All-Stars down the left flank, while second half substitutes Bryan Jordan and Tristan Bowen were active as well.
The Galaxy were reduced to 10-men in the 68th minute when Josh Tudela was sent off for his second yellow card. But despite the sending off, the Galaxy were able to keep the clean sheet for Wicks and send the club into their winter break on a high.
Scoring Summary:
LA - Jovan Kirovski (Alan Gordon, Chris Klein) 3'
LA - Alan Gordon (Eddie Lewis, David Beckham)
LA - Brandon McDonald (David Beckham) 32'
Misconduct Summary:
OAS - Cole Peverley (Yellow Card) 61'
OAS - David Muta (Yellow Card) 63'
LA - Josh Tudela (Yellow Card) 63'
LA - Josh Tudela (Yellow Card/Red Card) 68'
Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Josh Wicks, Mike Randolph (Michael Gavin 79'), Brandon McDonald, Julian Valentin (Troy Roberts 64'), Sean Franklin, Josh Tudela (Sent Off 68'), Chris Klein (Tristan Bowen 71'), Eddie Lewis (Ely Allen 75'), David Beckham (Leonard Griffin 79'), Jovan Kirovski (Mike Munoz 76'), Alan Gordon (Bryan Jordan 46').
Subs Not Used: Josh Saunders.
Oceania All-Stars: Mark Bosnich (Jacob Spoonley 46'), Raimana Li Fung Kuee (Francois Sakama 92+), Steven Old, Ivan Vicelich (Fedy Vava 76'), Nelson Sale (Benjamin Longue 64'), Edgar Davids, Cole Peverley, Jarrod Smith (Seule Soromon 85'), Henry Faarodo (Aleck Maemae 83'), Christian Karembeu (David Muta 17'), Esala Masi (Judd Molea 46' Pierre Wajoka 88').
Subs Not Used: None.
Attendance: 16,600
Referee: Michael Hester
