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Eskandarian's goal gives Galaxy win vs. Revolution

Jul 5, 2009 - 6:25 AM By JOSEPH D'HIPPOLITO STATS MLS Correspondent

CARSON, Calif. (STATS) - Alecko Eskandarian made an immediate impact in his unexpected debut for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Eskandarian scored in the eighth minute to give the Galaxy a 1-0 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday night.

The Galaxy (4-3-9) won two consecutive games for the first time this season.

The Revolution (4-5-4), playing their first MLS match since June 13, were playing their fifth game in 14 days after reaching the SuperLiga semifinals and losing in the U.S. Open Cup.

Eskandarian, who made his debut with the Galaxy after being acquired from Chivas USA on Wednesday, replaced Alan Gordon in the starting lineup at the last minute after Gordon strained his left calf during warmups.

"I found out that I was going to start probably with about three or four minutes left in the warmup," Eskandarian said. "I didn't have much time to get ready. There was a little bit of craziness for about a couple of minutes. But once I got my timing and my warmup done, I knew I was fine."

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said that Eskandarian adjusted quickly to his new team.

"We knew after a couple of days of training that he was with us and he was going to be a good addition," Arena said. "He's a good, alert player. He offered us some good mobility. He's active in the last third of the field and he's smart."

Eskandarian scored his first goal since April 25 by volleying Todd Dunivant's diagonal pass from the left flank inside the left post from 11 yards.

"I know I timed my run perfectly," Eskandarian said. "It was a great ball by Todd. With a ball like that, you've got to hit it the first time. It came on my right foot, which is my weaker foot, so I just wanted to guide it into the goal."

Goalkeeper Josh Saunders made four saves for his first MLS shutout this season. He replaced Donovan Ricketts, who is starting for Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Saunders made his biggest saves in the second half against the Revolution's Michael Videira. In the 72nd minute, Saunders dived to his right to block Videira's 15-yard header with his right hand. Then in the 87th minute, Saunders leaped to deflect Videira's 23-yard shot from the right flank.

Galaxy forward Landon Donovan did not dress for the game. Donovan arrived Tuesday from South Africa, where the United States played the FIFA Confederations Cup, and became ill Friday, a team spokesman said.

The Revolution played without Shalrie Joseph and Jay Heaps, who had played every minute in MLS play. Joseph has damaged knee cartilage and Heaps joined the United States for the Gold Cup.

Also missing from the Revolution were Steve Ralston, sidelined with a strained right hamstring, and Taylor Twellman, recovering from a concussion.

"The experience around the team tonight was nil," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. "But we come to L.A. and have them hanging on, basically. It tells the character of the players."

Lithuanian forward Edgaras Jankauskas made his MLS debut in the 61st minute by replacing Kheli Dube. Jankauskas, 34, was Lithuania's soccer player of the year five times.