Toronto’s Alan Gordon reminds that he can score in 2-2 tie with Galaxy

Stoppage time exists for a reason.

Galaxy forward Juan Pablo Angel thought it was so he could seemingly win the game with a goal in the 91st minute.

Toronto FC forward Alan Gordon thought otherwise. Gordon found the back of the net, via the crossbar, in the 94th, and final, minute. He scored both of Toronto’s goals in a 2-2 tie with the Galaxy on Saturday night at the Home Depot Center.

Gordon scoring is a familiar site to Galaxy fans. The Galaxy drafted him in 2004 and he made 99 appearances in a Galaxy uniform, scoring 19 goals, before being traded last season.

Initially traded to Chivas, Gordon scored against the Galaxy in his first return last season, only to outdo that effort Saturday.

“It felt good,” Gordon said. “I was just telling somebody I think I have 75% of my goals against former teams.”

Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant tried to play the role of late-game hero before Angel’s turn came. Dunivant’s shot was deflected away, though, right to Angel. Angel had enough time to gather himself and send a laser past Toronto goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

“It is very disappointing,” Angel said. “Although we managed to get that late goal, it should have been enough for us to win the game. We’re very disappointed. It’s a shame.”

Gordon headed in a Danleigh Borman cross for his first goal directly in front of a section of fans serenading him with chants of “L.A. Reject.” Borman’s cross left Galaxy goaltender Josh Saunders with practically no chance.

“We know we’re better than this,” Angel said. “We have to start picking ourselves up during the week because it’s going to get harder for us.”

Galaxy midfielder Chris Birchall provided the initial Galaxy offense only two minutes into the game off a pass from midfielder Miguel Lopez. The goal marked Birchall’s first in Major League Soccer play.

For the next 89 minutes, Los Angeles gave itself opportunity after opportunity to score, but time and time again shots went wide or passes were missed.

“We didn’t play particularly well today,” Angel said. “Our passing wasn’t the best.”

The only thing more prevalent than the last-minute heroics was yellow cards. Five cards marred the game, as the Galaxy’s A.J. DeLaGarza and David Beckham each earned a card. Toronto’s Doneil Henry, Borman and Gordon added one apiece. Beckham’s next misconduct will earn him a one-game suspension.

Gordon’s scoring ended a Galaxy shutout streak at 479 scoreless minutes. The streak ranks second in club history behind the 521-minute spread between the end of 2009 and the start of 2010.

The Galaxy can cling to one streak yet, having gone eight matches without a loss, mixing four wins and four ties.

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