2010 Los Angeles Galaxy season
The 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy season was the club's fifteenth season of existence. It was also the Galaxy's fifteenth season in Major League Soccer and their fifteenth-consecutive year at the top-flight of American soccer. The club's season was highlighted by winning their third-ever Supporters' Shield. Statistically, the 2010 MLS season was the Galaxy's strongest season on record, and the club had their strongest start ever, opening their first eleven games unbeaten before losing to the eventual second-place finishers, Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto. Some of the  club's notable achievements included Edson Buddle being a runner-up for the MLS Golden Boot award, with 17 goals tallied during the regular season. Galaxy captain and United States national team star Landon Donovan led the club in assists with 12. The club finished the MLS regular season with a 17–7–8 record, their best in nearly a decade. The club also competed in the preliminary rounds of the CONCACAF Champions League, and the early rounds of the U.S. Open Cup. In Champions League play, the Galaxy, considered at one point to be favorites to win the entire tournament suffered  a shocking blow, when the club suffered a 4–1 home defeat to confederation minnows, Puerto Rico Islanders, who were 11th place at the time in USSF D2 Pro League, the then-second tier of U.S. soccer. Although the Galaxy would defeat the Islanders 2–1 in Puerto Rico, it was not enough on aggregate to see the club advance into Group play. In the tournament, the Galaxy were the only club to defeat the Islanders in Puerto Rico. However, the Galaxy will return to Champions League play next year by winning the Supporters' Shield title. The Galaxy made it to the  quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup with a convincing 2–0 win over second-tier AC St. Louis, before losing to Seattle Sounders FC by the same score line. Review. March. Los Angeles began their fifteenth Major League Soccer regular season at home with a 1–0 win against the New England Revolution on March 27, 2010. Edson Buddle scored the only goal for the Galaxy in the sixth minute. April. David Beckham, with a torn left Achilles tendon injury, was ruled out for the season on April 26. He suffered the injury in a Serie A match for AC Milan against  ChievoVerona on March 13, and as a result, will also miss the entire MLS season. After scoring a league-leading 7 goals, Edson Buddle was named MLS Player of the Month for April September. After a quick and incredible recovery, David Beckham returns to the LA Galaxy. He is brought in as a late sub for Juniho during the 70th minute of the September 11 L.A Galaxy vs Columbus Crew match, amidst the roaring cheers and applauds of Galaxy fans. The Galaxy go on to win the match 3–1. Club. First team roster. "As of August 10, 2010." Major League  Soccer. League table. Conference Overall Matches. U.S. Open Cup. Finishing in second place overall in 2009, the Galaxy were one of the six MLS clubs guaranteed a Third round spot in the 2010 edition of the U.S. Open Cup. The Galaxy were paired against the USSF Pro League's AC St. Louis. Hosting the Saints at Home Depot Center on June 29, a pair of goals from Chris Klein and Juninho gave the Galaxy a 2–0 victory over visiting St. Louis. On July 7, 2010; the Galaxy traveled up northwest to take on the defending Open Cup champions, Seattle Sounders  FC in Tukwila, Washington. In front of a sold-out crowd of 4,500 at Starfire Complex, the Galaxy would lose 2–0, the loss to the eventual champions ended their brief Open Cup campaign.