• Recap
• Bleachers

Donovan, Galaxy rally for draw with FC Dallas

Oct 27, 2008 - 12:12 AM CARSON, California (Ticker) -- With both teams out of MLS Cup contention, Landon Donovan still found a reason to celebrate.

Donovan scored his 20th goal of the season on a late penalty kick to win the Golden Boot as the Los Angeles Galaxy played to a 2-2 draw with FC Dallas in the season finale for both teams Sunday.

Given to the league's leading goal scorer, Donovan beat out Kenny Cooper of Dallas for the award by two goals thanks to his game-tying tally in the 79th minute. With Los Angeles trailing, 2-1, Eddie Lewis was taken down in the box by Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala and Donovan deposited a shot in the right side of the net to pull Los Angeles even.

"I'm very proud of it. Not many people get a chance like this," Donovan said. "I just wish I was playing in more games (playoffs). This is a big honor for me, I'd like to thank my teammates because they made it possible."

The Galaxy (8-13-9) took an early lead in the 21st minute when Edson Buddle found the back of the net. He headed a cross from David Beckham to the near post and past Sala for his 15th goal of the season.

After Galaxy netminder Josh Wicks mishandled a corner kick, Drew Moor put the loose ball into the unoccupied net to tie the match, 1-1, in the 34th minute.

Dallas (8-10-12) went ahead less than five minutes later when Victor Sikora took a pass from Duilio Davino and beat Wicks to make it 2-1.

"Oddly enough, I thought that the first half wasn't that bad," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "The part that I'm really pleased with is that we showed a lot of character. If we had showed that kind of character over 30 games we would still be playing in the MLS playoffs."

Galaxy midfielder Alvaro Pires was ejected for a dangerous tackle in the 40th minute to put the home team a man down, but Dallas defender Aaron Pitchkolan was given his second yellow card four minutes into the second half to even the sides at 10 players apiece.

"We gained a man advantage for the last five minutes of the first half. I told the guys at halftime to try and spread the ball around, and that only lasted about five minutes - then we were all equal again," FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman said.

"It put us back into an even game. I don't think either team played well, and it reflects on our places in the table. This is our 12th tie, and I think we could have done better."

The game was the last for Los Angeles defender Greg Vanney, who will retire after the 2008 season. The 10-year veteran has collected 22 goals and 23 assists in 270 career games.