PASADENA, Calif. — Manchester United made an impressive debut under coach Louis van Gaal on Wednesday night, with Wayne Rooney scoring twice late in the first half of a 7-0 victory over the LA Galaxy.
Ashley Young and unsung defender Reece James scored two second-half goals apiece as United opened its summer tour with a surprisingly polished win over MLS’ overmatched Galaxy in the Guinness International Champions Cup.
Danny Welbeck scored the first goal for Van Gaal, who has had limited work with his new club after leading the Netherlands to a third-place finish at the World Cup earlier this month. United still outclassed the Galaxy in the meeting of David Beckham’s two former clubs.
Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera also made their United debuts at the historic Rose Bowl.
Van Gaal’s tenure got off to a start reflecting the confidence of United’s veteran coach, who intends to return the 20-time English champions to immediate international prominence after David Moyes’ poor tenure. United finished seventh in Moyes’ only season as Alex Ferguson’s replacement after 26 years, failing even to qualify for Europa League play.
Van Gaal is still adjusting to his new job after spending the summer with the Dutch team, but he is already planning to spend more time around Old Trafford next summer. Van Gaal spoke out against lucrative preseason tours this week, saying the lengthy U.S. stay hinders his preparations for the season.
Roma 1, Liverpool 0
BOSTON — Marco Borriello scored in the 90th minute to give Roma a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in a preseason friendly Wednesday night at Fenway Park.
There were limited chances until Borriello volleyed in a corner from in front of goal.
“Both teams played with young players,” Roma coach Rudi Garcia said via a translator. “I am quite happy with the development we had.”
For the second time in three years, Fenway, the home of the Boston Red Sox, was transformed into the home of Liverpool, which is owned by Fenway Sports Group. John Henry, owner of the Red Sox, also is the controlling partner of Fenway Sports Group.
Roma beat Liverpool 2-1 at Fenway two years ago.
Tottenham 3,
Toronto FC 2
TORONTO — Andros Townsend scored in the 85th minute to give Tottenham a victory over Toronto FC on Wednesday night, spoiling Toronto striker Jermain Defoe’s first game against his old English team.
Andrew Wiedeman and Canadian teenager Jordan Hamilton had second-half goals to pull Toronto even before a sellout crowd of 22,591. But Lewis Holtby found Townsend for a shot that curled past Quillan Roberts.
Israeli club’s match disrupted by protest
VIENNA — A football match in Austria between Israeli team Maccabi Haifa and French side Lille OSC has been disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters.
Salzburg police said the pre-season friendly in the town of Bischofshofen was interrupted shortly before the end when protesters waving Palestinian flags stormed the pitch.
Police said nobody was injured. The referee broke off the game after the incident.
By wire souces