Donovan Hat-Trick Lifts Galaxy

Winless for more than three months and in dire need of maximum points to avoid falling out of the playoff race altogether, the Los Angeles Galaxy cruised to a 5-2 victory over D.C. United on Saturday night - capped by a Landon Donovan hattrick - and instantly vaulted themselves back into postseason contention.
Donovan, linked with a winter move to Bayern Munich in recent days, increased his goal-scoring total to 19 on the season, far surpassing his previous best year in MLS. The USMNT star also showed deft touch in assisting on the game's fourth goal, lofting a perfectly-weighted ball into the path of an onrushing Peter Vagenas, who chipped over Louis Crayton for a sure Sierra Mist Goal of the Week nominee. Alan Gordon also tallied for Los Angeles, while D.C.'s pair of goals were scored by Devon McTavish and new signing Thabiso Khumalo.

Things got chippy between the two sides late in the game, in part due to referee Terry Vaughn's inability to control large chunks of the game and also a result of both teams' urgency to pick up points. United defender Marc Burch was sent off in the 63rd minute after getting tangled up with David Beckham on the sidelines, sending the former Man U player crashing into the advertising boards. A brief skirmish ensued between both clubs before Burch gave way and hit the showers.