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Donovan returns, Galaxy beats Sounders

Jul 5, 2010 - 5:51 AM CARSON, Calif.(AP) -- Edson Buddle and Juninho scored to lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 3-1 victory over Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday night.

Buddle and Landon Donovan played their first game for the Galaxy (11-1-3) since returning from the World Cup in South Africa, where they competed for the United States.

"I'm tired but I'm really happy to be back," Donovan said. "I played a lot of games this year and my body is pretty worn out so I need some time to rest."

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said he wouldn't take chances with either Donovan or Buddle.

"You could see early in the game that Landon's legs were a little bit heavy," Arena said. "He certainly hasn't recovered. With Edson, there was not that much activity over the last six weeks. He's going to need a little bit of time."

Donovan said he noticed a change in the Galaxy since he left for the World Cup camp in May.

"We seem a little more mature," Donovan said. "I think we're starting to pass better, to move better. The guys in the midfield look great. We're just getting more confident."

Steve Zakuani scored for the Sounders (4-8-3), who also conceded an own goal and have lost five of their past six games against Major League Soccer opponents.

"We didn't get enough pressure onto them defensively early enough," Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid said. "That was the story of the night for us. You've got to play with energy and I think we got overrun."

Buddle scored his league-leading 10th goal in the 19th minute on a glancing 7-yard header off Donovan's corner kick. Donovan recorded his league-best 10th assist.

"That was the way I wanted to start," Buddle said. "i wanted to get a goal, especially coming back. I feel like every day, you have to prove yourself."

Juninho made it 2-0 in the 47th minute with his first goal, a 40-yard line drive into the upper-right corner of the net.

Zakuani scored his fifth goal on a 12-yard shot in the 66th minute after receiving Fredy Montero's pass and dribbling through a big space between two defenders.

But Seattle defender James Riley conceded an own goal in the 77th minute, when Alan Gordon's right-wing cross hit the sliding Riley in the leg and rolled into the net.