David Beckham interviewed by Tony Bruce at the San Diego Classico

Pro Soccer News: LA GALAXY's DONOVAN and GONZALES SCORE in SAN DIEGO CLASICO with CLUB TIJUANA

Omar Gonzalez and Landon Donovan both scored as the LA Galaxy fought to a 2-2 draw with Mexico's second division team Club Tijuana in the San Diego Clasico. The Mexican team went on to win on a penalty shootout.

The San Diego Clasico: The first half of the game, which saw the LA GALAXY lineup include, Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Juan Pablo Angel, all play together for the first time this preseason, was uneventful.

Both teams adopted a counter attack mentality waiting to see who was going to blink first. Well Club Tijuana was first on the board. A through ball in the 39^th minute caught the LA Galaxy backline square and Armando Davido raced in to tuck the ball behind the helpless LA Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.

The Club Tijuana club was not on top very long. In the 41^st minute LA Galaxy forced a corner that Beckham struck with precision finding the head of Gonzalez. The big defenders attempt bounced past Mexican keeper Adrian Zemeno tying the score at one apiece.

LA Galaxy changed their formation in the second half going to a 4-4-2 with Chad Barrett joining Angel up front. Going from a more conservative 4-5-1 had an impact on the game. LA Galaxy looked livelier and in the 79^th minute Donovan got on the end of a Chris Birchnall cross to put Galaxy into the lead for the first time.

Club Tijuana also upped their game and were giving as good as they got. Just three minutes after the LA Galaxy goal Club Tijuana were level. Cutting in from the wing the Mexican forward was tripped by Frankie Hejduk and referee Ramon Hernandez pointed to the spot despite Hejduk’s pleas of innocence.

Luis Orozco stepped up to send the Club Tijuana fans into song with the tying goal. Club Tijuana continued to press for the winner but the LA Galaxy held on to the final whistle. Both teams had agreed to go straight to penalty kicks at the end of 90 minutes and Tijuana came out on top 4-3 in the ensuing kicks.

Tony Bruce interviews the pros at the San Diego Classico

Beckham was not surprised by the Mexican team. “Every Mexican team can play. The whole country revolves around soccer. It’s in their blood and they have very talented players.” Commented the English international. When asked if he had ever been to Tijuana, Beckham joked “I will ask my wife maybe we will visit in the near future.”

Donavan was also impressed by Club Tijuana. "I thought they played at a good level and it was good for us to have a competitive game,” said the LA goal scorer. “Our fitness was good two weeks out, we feel pretty close.”

The Galaxy open their 2011 MLS season on Tuesday March 15 at the Seattle Sounders with a 6:30 pm kick off. They return to the Home Depot Center on Sunday, March 20 for their home opener versus the New England Revolution at 5 pm.

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Tony Bruce is a well known and admired soccer coach who has be involved in soccer for more than 40 years.  As a Youth, Tony Bruce played soccer in Scotland and in England for Leeds United, Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers.   As an adult, Bruce played for Los Angeles Aztecs, San Diego Jaws and in the NASL for California Sunshine.  In the ASL, Bruce played soccer for 14 years in the Greater Los Angeles professional league for San Pedro Yugoslavs, Montebello Armenians, San Pedro Croatia, L.A. Gauchos, So. Bay United, Maccabee.

Bruce has coached college, high school and competitive club soccer in the San Diego Orange county and Los Angeles areas.  Currently, Bruce coaches for La Jolla High and San Diego Surf Soccer and holds USSF National A Coaching license.