Monday, August 10, 2009

Champions League trio

The Los Angeles Galaxy's 2-1 win over the New England Revolution Saturday night featured a highlight goal by Landon Donovan, a left-foot volley off a botched clearance. The second Galaxy goal was converted by Jovan Kirovski, and the fact Kirovski was the first U.S. player on the roster of Champions League team in Europe, it reminded me there was a unique combination of players on the Gillette Stadium field.

Besides Kirovski (Borussia Dortmund '97), the Galaxy's David Beckham (Manchester Utd. '99) and the Revolution's Edgaras Jankauskas (Porto '04) were Champions League winners. Having three players with that pedigree was probably a record for an MLS game, and that was without Revolution coach Steve Nicol (Liverpool '84), who was suspended for the contest.

Other Champions League winners to play in the MLS have been Refik Sabanadzovic (Red Star Belgrade '91), Hristo Stoitchkov (Barcelona '92), and Robert Donadoni (Milan '94), according to the league.