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Galaxy seek first win vs. Earthquakes

Apr 17, 2009 - 7:46 PM By Dan Pieringer Stats Writer

Los Angeles (0-1-2) at San Jose (1-2-1), 10:30 p.m. EDT

SAN JOSE, California (AP) -- Playing the first three matches of the season at home didn't do the Los Angeles Galaxy much good. An impressive MLS debut from goalkeeper Donovan Rickets gives them reason to believe they'll have better luck a few hundred miles up the California coast.

Ricketts looks to build on a strong first outing for the Galaxy, who try again for their first win in their road opener Saturday night against the San Jose Earthquakes.

Los Angeles (0-1-2) hosted its first three matches of the season but came away with only two points.

However, coach Bruce Arena saw signs of improvement in a scoreless draw with Chivas USA last Saturday, progress he hopes continues as his club embarks on its first road stretch of the year.

"I think it was a fair result for both teams. There's not much more to say than that," Arena told the team's official Web site. "I think our team gave a good effort. They are getting better. New players contributed well tonight. I was pleased this week at training and tonight's game. It's encouraging."

Ricketts delivered the most promising performance, finishing with five saves in his first MLS match to earn league player of the week honors.

Ricketts, who played for Jamaica in the 1998 World Cup and spent four seasons in England, missed the first two games of the season with a strained groin and then a sore shoulder.

"Bruce put a lot of faith in me, so every game I just try to repay him," Ricketts said. "That's all I do. I go out and play from the heart."

A member of Bradford City in England's League Two from 2005-08, Ricketts partially attributed his success to a slower pace of play in the United States.

"In the English leagues, the play is more quick," he said. "The ball never stops moving. (MLS) is more technical and methodical in the buildup. It's relatively slower than the English leagues, but not that slow."

The Galaxy, who follow Saturday's game with a match at Colorado on April 25, could use another strong outing from Ricketts as they try to improve their play on the road this season. They went 2-9-4 away from home in 2008, compared 6-4-5 at The Home Depot Center.

Los Angeles is 9-9-3 all-time in San Jose, where it split two matches last year.

The Earthquakes, 6-5-4 at home last season, are playing their fourth game there in 2009. They have one win, one loss and one draw.

The tie was a disheartening one, as San Jose (1-2-1) blew three leads and gave up the final tying goal in the 85th minute of a 3-3 draw with Chicago last Saturday.

"We were awful in the second half to be honest," coach Frank Yallop said. "We got a point out of the game, but you're looking for three at home."

Earthquakes forward Ryan Johnson was especially frustrated with his club's effort on the defensive end. San Jose has given up seven goals over its last three matches.

"Defensively we were not good enough today," Johnson said last week. "We are doing a good job attacking the goal, but at the same time we need to work on the defense and keep the lead in order to win games. We have to see the game through and take care of our business both offensively and defensively."

San Jose's defense hasn't had any answers for former Earthquakes forward Landon Donovan. Since signing with the Galaxy before the 2005 season, Donovan has three goals and two assists in five games against San Jose.