Superstar trio leads LA Galaxy over FC Dallas, to top of MLS table
CARSON - Coach Bruce Arena scoffed at anyone who thought he should be concerned while his LA Galaxy played a full month without scoring a goal in MLS play.
One after another, his three biggest stars showed how right he was.
Giovani Dos Santos, Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard scored as the Galaxy climbed atop the overall league standings with a 3-2 victory over FC Dallas on Sunday night.
Dos Santos and Keane scored in the first half before Gerrard got his first goal since his MLS debut in the 57th minute. The Galaxy ended their perplexing three-game scoreless stretch when all three of their designated players scored in the same match for the first time.
''There's been nothing wrong with us,'' said Arena, whose team hadn't scored an MLS goal since Aug. 23. ''I know you guys all look at the scoreline, and leave it at that. It's all a bunch of (nonsense). Our team is going to score goals.''
The Galaxy (14-9-8) scored just enough to move past Vancouver and the New York Red Bulls with 50 points in the Supporters' Shield race. The Whitecaps, Red Bulls and FC Dallas all have games in hand on the defending MLS Cup champions, but that's another target for Arena's scorn.
''There's one team that has 50 points, and that's us,'' Arena said. ''We've got 50 in the bank, and somebody is going to have to (catch up).''
The Galaxy were thrilled to get a close-range score in the 57th minute from Gerrard, who had played eight games without a goal since his MLS debut July 17. The former England captain and Liverpool star is playing a defensive role in the Galaxy's midfield.
''I didn't have a problem with my confidence,'' Gerrard said. ''I think the goal is important for the team. We're at the business end of the season, and it's all about three points. It's not about individuals and tallies and who gets what.''
Michael Barrios and Atiba Harris scored for FC Dallas (14-10-5), which began the night even with the Galaxy with 47 points. Dallas has lost two straight, but has two games in hand on the Galaxy.
''I'd prefer to have the points on the board,'' Keane said. ''I'd take the points on the board all day long over the games in hand. You have to win the games in hand.''
The victory ended a strange five-week stretch without an MLS goal for the Galaxy, who went 0-2-1 and wasted the chance to take a sizable lead in the regular-season race. After a high-profile 5-1 victory over New York City FC last month, the Galaxy were shut out by San Jose, Montreal and Real Salt Lake.
Dos Santos ended the Galaxy's 290-minute scoring drought just 11 minutes in, converting a cross from Gyasi Zardes during a slick sequence of possession started by Robbie Rogers' adroit header by the sideline.
Keane then scored from the top of the penalty area with ample room to shoot after an exceptional touch by Dos Santos. The Irish captain and his Mexican teammate then celebrated by doing the nae nae.
Barrios scored a strange goal all by himself later in the half, popping a header just over leaping goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.
Keane hit the crossbar twice in the second half, but Gerrard cleaned up a corner kick in the box.
Harris scored rather easily in the 86th minute, but the Galaxy hung on in front of their sixth straight MLS sellout crowd at StubHub Center.