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Jordan excels as Galaxy play to draw with Real Salt Lake

Sep 7, 2008 - 5:58 AM CARSON, California (Ticker) -- In his first MLS start, Brian Jordan opened the scoring in the ninth minute and assisted on Edson Buddle's match-tying tally in the 69th minute as the Los Angeles Galaxy recorded a 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake at The Home Depot Center on Saturday.

Yura Movsisyan scored in the 21st minute and Will Johnson also tallied for Real Salt Lake (8-8-7), which continues to struggle on the road. The visitors are 1-8-2 on the road.

Chris Klein recorded his 108th consecutive start for Los Angeles (6-9-8), which is 0-5-6 in its last 11 matches.

The Galaxy were playing without David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Ante Jazic and Eddie Lewis due to international duty.

Donovan and Lewis were representing the United States in its 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Cuba, while Jazic joined his native Canada against Honduras in Montreal on Saturday. Beckham rounded out the international quartet as he played with England against Andorra.

"Overall I'm pleased," Los Angeles coach Bruce Arena said. "We went into the game with issues with our roster and to try to fit some of these pieces together - it was a challenge. I give credit to the team for the effort they put out, it was fabulous Salt Lake threw every thing at us in the first half and there're a good team it took us at least 30 minutes to figure them out.

"Considering our limitations tonight, I'm real pleased with the effort and result."

Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis, however, had hoped for a better result.

"I think in the locker room, we're are a little disappointed" he said. "We knew coming into this game that they were missing a lot of key players, important players and thought we could come away with three points.

"Having said that, we haven't defended well on the road this year, but at the end of the day we are walking away with a point and that's better than most of our road games this year."

The Galaxy wasted little time opening the scoring.

Buddle used some fancy footwork to beat his defender before sliding a left-footed shot on goal. Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando was able to get his arm on the ball, but Jordan cleaned up the rebound and found the back of the net for his first career goal.

"I came out here just to work hard and I've got a great opportunity I just wanted to step on the field and play as hard as I can and make some chances," Jordan said. "I've been waiting for this (opportunity). I felt like I did very well. I know key players will be coming back, but I'll be fighting for my chance to get on the field."

Real Salt Lake leveled the contest 12 minutes later after Movsisyan slipped the ball past charging goalkeeper Josh Wicks for his second goal of the season.

After Johnson gave Real Sale Lake the lead in the 52nd minute, Jordan helped the Galaxy level the contest shortly thereafter.

Jordan corralled the ball in the penalty box, and after using a few quick moves to create some distance, blasted a shot on goal that was deflected by Rimando. Buddle was able to gain control and alertly slipped the ball into the vacant net to tie the contest at 2-2.

"I felt like it was a long game and it wasn't pretty we did what we had to do and get something out of the game," Buddle said. "We do miss the guys that are away now, but this game gives minutes to guys that at some point we're going to count on. Anybody can go down at any time and were going to need these guys then. I'm just glad that I can contribute to the team and hopefully it continues."