WASHINGTON (AP) — Landon Donovan came back from the World Cup and kept scoring key goals. Donovan scored on a penalty in the second half gave the Los Angeles Galaxy a 2-1 win over D.C. United on Sunday night. It was Donovan’s first goal since the World Cup, where he led the United States with three, including a penalty in their knockout-stage match against Ghana. He also scored a stoppage-time winner against Algeria that put the USA atop its group for the first time in 80 years. “Every team he’s on, he makes a difference,” said Galaxy coach Bruce Arena, who also coached Donovan in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. Last week, MLS commissioner Don Garber said the league would not consider transfer offers for Donovan. “If we need to have a discussion at some point, then we will,” Donovan said. “But at this point that’s his opinion. If I were the commissioner I would say the same thing.” He was cheered before the game, but booed as he lined up to take the penalty assessed for Julius James’ hand ball in the 58th minute. “It’s definitely nicer than getting boos,” Donovan said of the fans’ initial reaction. Troy Perkins correctly guessed left, but Donovan pinned the ball just inside the post for his second goal of the season. United tied it four minutes earlier, when Andy Najar headed home Pablo Hernandez’s cross. Edson Buddle, who also played for the US in South Africa, scored his MLS-best 11th goal when he gathered his own rebound and scored from close in the 38th. The Galaxy ran their MLS-best points total to 39, nine up on Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference and eight ahead of Columbus in the East, though Los Angeles has played one more game than the other two. United haven’t won in five straight MLS games, since a 3-2 result in Seattle on June 10.
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