BY ADAM SERRANO
It's not always pretty, but the Los Angeles Galaxy are getting the results that may give them the Supporters Shield.
An Edson Buddle goal and a little magic from goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts was all the Galaxy needed to defeat the Philadelphia Union, 1-0 at PPL Park on Thursday evening. After going through a late summer slide, the Galaxy are gaining momentum as Los Angeles has won four of its last five matches.
Los Angeles took the lead in the 27th minute when David Beckham delivered a pinpoint cross on a corner to Buddle who headed it to the left of Union goalkeeper Brad Knighton. Buddle's goal was his 16th of the season which sets a career high for the forward. The Galaxy are 11-0-1 when Buddle scores.
While Buddle was the goalscoring hero, it was the play of Ricketts that preserved the result for the Galaxy with a pair of huge saves in the second half. Philadelphia's youthful offense caused a great deal of trouble for the Galaxy and finally tested Ricketts in the 73rd minute. An audacious flick towards goal by Sebastien Le Toux forced the Jamaican to make a quick diving save to keep the Union off the board.
Ricketts would come up big again only a minute later when a shot by Shea Salinas forced another save from the Jamaican. The shutout was Ricketts' 11th of the season which ties a Galaxy season record set by Kevin Hartman.Los Angeles will end their road campaign with the best record on the road at 9-3-3 and having only conceded six goals while away from the Home Depot Center.
The Galaxy have a week off until facing the Colorado Rapids on Saturday October 16th at the Home Depot Center. Philadelphia will close their inaugural home schedule on the 16th against the New York Red Bulls.
Here are the highlights: