From Deseret News archives:
RSL puts clamps on Donovan
High-scoring star shut down by Real goal keeper Garlick
That would Landon Donovan, who, despite a lackluster World Cup performance, remains the face of American soccer.
And he's still pretty darn good. Since returning from Germany, he's scored six goals, including a pair of strikes during the Galaxy's impressive 5-2 win at league-leading D.C. United last weekend.
Real Salt Lake has had mixed results containing him during its brief history, but it got just about everything right Wednesday evening. Playing in a virtual must-win situation, RSL largely held Donovan in check en route to a 1-0 win.
According to Real coach John Ellinger, the key to slowing down the USA International star was to stay as close as possible.
"Landon's such a good player. You never go in with the attitude that you're going to constantly be physical with a player like Landon. He's just too good. He's not going to let that happen," said Ellinger. "But we just had to know where Landon was at all times and not lose him and get tight on him. And as far as team defending, we always had a second guy coming at him when the first guy was making a challenge, and I think that helped us."
That message got through to Ellinger's players. Donovan only had one moment of real menace, which came in the 79th minute.
After beating RSL midfielder Carey Talley while streaking toward goal, Donovan played a perfect through ball into the path of Alan Gordon. However, Real 'keeper Scott Garlick raced off his line to deny Gordon, and former U.S. standout Cobi Jones fired his follow-up shot high into the bleachers.
"Every time they touch the ball, whoever's closest to (Donovan), you've got to be near him," said Talley. "He's their engine. He's what makes them work, and so I think we did a pretty good job. Every time he got the ball, we had somebody on him."
As a whole, Salt Lake took care of its defensive responsibilities. Nelson Akwari came into the backline for suspended defender Jack Stewart, but RSL didn't miss a beat.
"The defense had good shape throughout the game," said Ellinger.
What did Donovan think of his performance? Neither his team nor him had enough energy.
"I didn't play very well," he said. "I'm at my best when I have a lot of energy, like I said, and we just never seemed to get going. That being said, we had enough chances to tie the game. And if we wanna be a great team, this is the kind of game we've got to get a point out of, and we didn't."
E-mail: drasmussen@desnews.com
