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Edson Buddle stars for Galaxy

May 2, 2010 - 5:50 AM CARSON, Calif.(AP) -- Edson Buddle had two goals and an assist to lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night.

Buddle, Major League Soccer's leading scorer, has nine goals in six games as the Galaxy (5-0-1) maintained its best start since 1998, when the club won its first nine games.

"It's unbelieveable," Buddle said of his scoring surge. "I've never started this way. But I'm enjoying every part of it. It never gets old."

Union coach Peter Nowak said his young squad can learn from Buddle.

"Even when he's by himself, he's still able to find space and find the right moments to score," Nowak said. "I think he's a good example for our youngsters to see how he works, how he scores and how he creates space."

The Union (1-4), which has yet to win on the road, extended its overall losing streak to four games in MLS and U.S. Open Cup play.

A.J. DeLaGarza put Los Angeles ahead 53 seconds into the game by sliding to convert Buddle's cross from the left side of the penalty area into a 5-yard shot.

"Maybe his best play was his assist," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said of Buddle. "That was a fabulous ball he laid across."

Buddle extended the lead with two goals in 18 minutes. In the 27th minute, after Union goalkeeper Chris Seitz deflected Alan Gordon's diving 7-yard header, Buddle secured the rebound and scored from seven yards.

Then in the 45th minute, Buddle received Landon Donovan's pass and scored from 15 yards inside the left post.

"Who would expect anyone to score nine goals in six games?" Arena asked. "Our team is putting Edson in position to score some goals but his finiishing has been outstanding."

Donovan's assist was the 80th of his MLS career, tying him with Mauricio Cienfuegos and Chris Henderson for seventh place all-time.

The Union's Jack McInerney ended the scoring in the 84th minute with his first MLS goal, a diagonal 16-yard shot that Fred set up with a solo run.

Philadelphia played with 10 men after Stefani Miglioranzi received a red card in the 45th minute.

The Galaxy's Clint Mathis, who played for the United States in the 2002 World Cup, made his season debut when he replaced Gordon in the the 70th minute.

The Union's Kyle Nakazawa made his professional debut by coming in for Andrew Jacobson in the 61st minute.

Sebastian LeToux, the Union's leading scorer with four goals, missed the game after spraining a ligament in his left knee Tuesday night during a U.S. Open Cup qualifier.