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Galaxy beats DC United, 5-2

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September 21, 2008 01:26 AM EST | AP

CARSON, Calif. — Landon Donovan had three goals and an assist to lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 5-2 victory over D.C. United on Saturday night, giving Bruce Arena his first win as the Galaxy's coach.

Donovan, who leads Major League Soccer with 19 goals, recorded the second three-goal game of the season and his career. The veteran of two World Cups for the United States scored three goals April 26 against Chivas USA.

Alan Gordon and Peter Vagenas each added a goal, and David Beckham had an assist for Los Angeles (7-10-8), which broke its team-record winless streak of 12 games with its first victory since June 14.

Devon McTavish and Thabiso Khumalo scored their first goals of the season for D.C. United (10-12-3), whose lead over Kansas City for MLS' eighth and final playoff berth fell to one point.

Donovan tied it at 1 in the 23rd minute when he scored on a breakaway, then put the Galaxy ahead in the 35th minute with a 26-yard line drive between lunging goalkeeper Louis Crayton and the left post.

Beckham earned his ninth assist of the season and his first since Aug. 3 on Donovan's second goal.

Gordon extended the lead to 3-1 in the 38th minute by converting the rebound of Eddie Lewis' shot from 8 yards.

Khumalo narrowed the deficit to 3-2 with a 13-yard shot in the 48th minute. Vagenas scored in the 81st minute with an 8-yard volley off Donovan's chip. Donovan ended the scoring in second-half stoppage time with a 13-yard shot.

McTavish gave United a 1-0 lead in the second minute. Ivan Guerrero's corner kick deflected off the Galaxy's Greg Vanney to McTavish, who converted from 5 yards.

United played with 10 men after Marc Burch received a red card in the 63rd minute for pushing Beckham into the boards as Beckham was shielding the ball from Burch.

Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Wicks made three saves for his first MLS victory.

United's Jaime Moreno missed the game because of an inflamed knee. Moreno needs two assists to become the first player in MLS history with 100 goals and 100 assists.

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