Bowen scores, Saunders makes 13 saves as Galaxy top Boca Juniors in exhibition match

Bowen’s goal leads Galaxy past Boca Juniors

CARSON, Calif. — Tristan Bowen scored in the 83rd minute and Josh Saunders made 13 saves to lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 1-0 victory over Boca Juniors of Buenos Aires in an exhibition match Sunday night.

Mike Magee began the scoring play with a right-wing cross to Michael Stephens in the penalty area. Stephens sent a short pass to his left to Bowen, who poked an 11-yard shot past diving goalkeeper Javier Garcia.

Saunders made two big right-handed saves in a 3-minute span. Saunders dived to his right to stop Gaston Rossi’s 25-yard shot in the 65th minute, and deflected Lucas Viatri’s 10-yard header over the crossbar in the 68th minute.

The Galaxy’s Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle missed the game to train with the United States’ World Cup team. Buddle is Major League Soccer’s top scorer with nine goals, while Donovan leads MLS with nine assists.

Boca Juniors played without forward Martin Palermo, the club’s all-time leading scorer, midfielder Claudio Morel and defender Gary Medel. All three are training for the World Cup with Argentina, Paraguay and Chile, respectively.

The game was Boca Juniors’ first of a three-match tour. Boca Juniors will play the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night and the Portland Timbers on Saturday.