Sandy, UT – The Los Angeles Galaxy may have been without a few familiar faces, but players like Charlie Rugg and Brian Rowe filled in capably as the club claimed a 2-0 victory at Rio Tinto Stadium over Real Salt Lake.
With Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane and goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini all out, the Galaxy put an inexperienced side on the pitch, and watched as Rowe recorded a clean sheet in his MLS debut in goal for the Galaxy, while Rugg netted a goal in his first MLS appearance.
The Galaxy seized the advantage early and were able to hold off the home side to claim a second successive win, while Salt Lake now owns just one win from its last four games.
Mike Magee continue his hot start to the season by netting his sixth goal of the campaign in the sixth minute when he held off his defender inside the penalty area and turned a header past goalkeeper Nick Rimando from Juninho's free kick.
Rugg made the most of his chance when he dashed toward the front of goal and redirected the ball into the roof of the net from close range following a low cross from Hector Jimenez.
Magee could have added to the lead but he failed to score in a one-on-one situation with Rimando, although the striker saved a goal at the other end by clearing a header from Kyle Beckerman off the goal line.
Jimenez struck the post as the Galaxy attempted to add to the lead, and Rowe's shutout was only safe after Salt Lake twice struck the woodwork in stoppage time with Olmes Garcia and Tony Beltran both coming close.
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