Monday, December 01, 2008

By BEE NEWS SERVICES

last updated: June 15, 2008 04:04:43 AM

OAKLAND -- Edson Buddle scored three goals for the second time in four weeks, and David Beckham had an assist during his Bay Area MLS debut in the Los Angeles Galaxy's 3-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night.

With Landon Donovan away on U.S. national team duty, Buddle stepped up with another remarkable game for the Galaxy. They lead the Western Conference with four wins in five games after trouncing the last-place Quakes, who were shut out for the sixth time already this season.

After an early goal set up by Beckham's cross, Buddle connected on two second-half headers to bury Los Angeles' upstate rivals in front of 39,872 fans -- the largest crowd to watch the Earthquakes.

Steve Cronin made just one save in his second shutout of San Jose this season.

"This team is more than capable of winning games without big players, and I think we've showed that," Beckham said of the Galaxy, who also played without suspended forward Alan Gordon.

Buddle, an eight-year MLS veteran with four clubs, had another hat trick May 18 against Dallas, giving him eight goals in Los Angeles' last five games. With Beckham setting up MLS' top two goal-scorers, the Galaxy's peerless offense leads the league with 28 goals, including nine in nine games by Donovan.

"Edson is an individual that's getting better at the game, and he works hard at it," Beckham said. "He works hard and he listens. He proved tonight that he's a handful."

Beckham heard equal measures of boos and cheers in his first appearance in Northern California with the Galaxy, who beat San Jose 2-0 in the Quakes' season opener in Carson on April 3. Beckham, who had his first MLS goal and an assist in that game, will be spending more time in the area after recently purchasing a winery in the Napa Valley as a birthday present for his wife.

"We're big wine fans, and we love red wine," Beckham said. "The kids can pick the grapes, so it's a great family thing. We'll certainly be down there more, but we're not going to say when."

CREW 3, WIZARDS 0, at Kansas City, Kan. -- Alejandro Moreno scored a goal in each half, and Columbus broke a club-record goal drought and four-match winless streak with a victory over Kansas City. The Crew (7-4-1) were 0-3-1 in their last four, all shutouts, after winning five in a row.

UNITED 4, RED BULLS 1, at Washington -- Luciano Emilio had his first hat trick, leading D.C. past New York. Emilio, last year's MVP, has scored in each of the last four games, notching six goals in that span.

TORONTO FC 3, RAPIDS 1, at Toronto -- Rohan Ricketts scored his first two MLS goals, and Toronto remained unbeaten at home this season with a victory over Colorado. Toronto FC is 5-0-2 at BMO Field.

REAL SALT LAKE 1, CHIVAS USA 0, at Carson -- Robbie Findley's goal in the third minute was all Salt Lake needed to defeat host Chivas USA.

Euro 2008

RUSSIA 1, GREECE 0, at Salzburg, Austria -- Greece's reign as European champion officially ended after a loss to Russia eliminated the team from the tournament. The Greeks needed at least a draw to stay in contention in Group D, but Konstantin Zyryanov's 33rd-minute goal left the surprise 2004 champions with nothing to play for in their third and final Group D match Wednesday.

SPAIN 2, SWEDEN 1, at Innsbruck, Austria -- David Villa scored in injury time to lead Spain past Sweden. Villa showed a stunning burst for so late in a match, surging between two defenders for a long pass, then poking the ball to the left of charging goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson for the victory. It was his fourth goal of the tournament. Spain later won Group D when Russia defeated 2004 champion Greece.

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