Donovan’s penalty ends Galaxy’s slide with 1-0 win Donovan’s penalty ends Galaxy’s slide with 1-0 win

CARSON, Calif. (STATS) - After six games this season, the Los Angeles Galaxy finally won. After 17 road matches in two years, the New York Red Bulls still seek a victory.

Landon Donovan converted a penalty in the 39th minute and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts prevented an own goal to help the Galaxy defeat the Red Bulls 1-0 on Saturday night.

Los Angeles (1-1-4) broke an eight-game winless streak that began in October and included U.S. Open Cup play.

“We’ve only lost one, so it’s not like we’re in a major crisis,” said Galaxy coach Bruce Arena, whose team had been coming off three consecutive ties. “But we would not have won that game last year. We’re seeing progress over the last month and the timing was right for us to get a win.”

The Red Bulls (1-5-2) haven’t won away from home in 17 straight MLS games, two shy of the league record. They’re 0-11-6 in regular-season road games since winning at Los Angeles on May 10, 2008.

“At some point, this is going to turn around,” New York coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. “We’ve been in all the games, except for the first game in Seattle, and we certainly deserve a lot more point than we’ve shown at the moment.”

Donovan sent his penalty to the left of goalkeeper Jon Conway for his fourth goal of the season after New York’s Seth Stammler was called for a handball in the penalty area. Stammler deflected Donovan’s shot from the lower-right corner of the area with his right forearm.

Ricketts kept the Red Bulls from taking the lead in the 23rd minute. The Galaxy’s Edson Buddle deflected Jorge Rojas’ right-wing corner kick toward the upper-right corner of the net but Ricketts leaped to catch the ball.

“It changed the whole game,” Arena said of Ricketts’ catch. “Donovan’s been a great addition. We have a real solid presence in goal and we’re getting better defensively.”

Ricketts finished with one save to earn his second shutout in four games.

“We’re taking baby steps,” Arena said. “If I’m not mistaken, there were 19 players on our roster last year that aren’t here this year. We have a vision as to what we’re trying to do and despite what anybody thinks, it doesn’t happen overnight.”

Buddle, who scored 15 goals last year, made his first start after missing the first four games because of a strained right quadriceps. He played 21 minutes as a substitute during a 1-1 tie at Colorado on April 25.

“Although you don’t see it on the scoresheet, Edson Buddle had a very good game for us,” Arena said. “His presence up top and his ability to hold the ball was an important aspect of the game tonight.”

The Galaxy’s Chris Klein became the seventh player in MLS history to play in 300 career games.

The Red Bulls used their ninth different lineup in nine games, including Wednesday night’s 2-1 victory over San Jose in qualifying for the U.S. Open Cup.

New York had lost only once in its previous 14 matches against Los Angeles (8-1-5).