Teenager Jose Villarreal came off the bench to score a splendid equaliser to ensure the Los Angeles Galaxy salvaged a 2-2 draw at the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Just 27 minutes into the match, the Galaxy were shockingly down 2-0 on goals by Gershon Koffie and Barry Robson.
David Beckham got his team back in the match with a deflected shot in the 81st minute which flew over Whitecaps goalkeeper Joe Cannon to bring the match to 2-1
Galaxy Homegrown signing Villarreal then completed the comeback with his first goal in MLS six minutes later.
Juninho was able to keep a long pass in with one touch, getting the ball to Villarreal with space at the edge of the area.
The 18-year-old took one step into the area, felt Koffie closing in and hit the brakes.
When the Vancouver player flew by, Villarreal used the space which was created to turn and let loose a left-footed rocket into the far corner.
"Just training every day I guess it comes out," Villarreal told the media after the game.
"You see the ball and I immediately cut it to my left foot and bent it in far post. I just had to hit it.
"I don't have any words to describe it. I was very happy and I just want to keep going."
His first MLS appearance, as a substitute for Robbie Keane against the Portland Timbers last weekend, was 90 seconds or so of waiting around for the final whistle.
This time there was purpose to his entrance.
"We've seen a lot of that in training," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said.
"He's a young kid and he was put in the game to get a goal. He's a good finisher; he's a kid with a lot of confidence and he struck the ball beautifully."
Beckham added: "Great goal. He's been doing it week in and week out in training. He works hard in training, he's a young kid and he likes to learn and he listens to the older players. Tonight was a good game for him."
Galaxy legend Cobi Jones, the broadcast analyst, offered Villarreal a little advice: "Keep that jersey, keep that ball. Very important for your future. Trust me."
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| Jose Villarreal celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps with LA Galaxy teammates Photo: Reuters |
Just 27 minutes into the match, the Galaxy were shockingly down 2-0 on goals by Gershon Koffie and Barry Robson.
David Beckham got his team back in the match with a deflected shot in the 81st minute which flew over Whitecaps goalkeeper Joe Cannon to bring the match to 2-1
Galaxy Homegrown signing Villarreal then completed the comeback with his first goal in MLS six minutes later.
Juninho was able to keep a long pass in with one touch, getting the ball to Villarreal with space at the edge of the area.
The 18-year-old took one step into the area, felt Koffie closing in and hit the brakes.
When the Vancouver player flew by, Villarreal used the space which was created to turn and let loose a left-footed rocket into the far corner.
"Just training every day I guess it comes out," Villarreal told the media after the game.
"You see the ball and I immediately cut it to my left foot and bent it in far post. I just had to hit it.
"I don't have any words to describe it. I was very happy and I just want to keep going."
His first MLS appearance, as a substitute for Robbie Keane against the Portland Timbers last weekend, was 90 seconds or so of waiting around for the final whistle.
This time there was purpose to his entrance.
"We've seen a lot of that in training," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said.
"He's a young kid and he was put in the game to get a goal. He's a good finisher; he's a kid with a lot of confidence and he struck the ball beautifully."
Beckham added: "Great goal. He's been doing it week in and week out in training. He works hard in training, he's a young kid and he likes to learn and he listens to the older players. Tonight was a good game for him."
Galaxy legend Cobi Jones, the broadcast analyst, offered Villarreal a little advice: "Keep that jersey, keep that ball. Very important for your future. Trust me."
Also see:
