Not much has gone right for the LA Galaxy this calendar year season.
The Galaxy’s misfortunes started before the season began. First, they were penalized during the offseason for attempting to circumvent the Salary Cap in relation to Carlos Pavon’s time with the Galaxy, with the penalties carrying implications into the Summer transfer window, as the Galaxy will be barred from signing any international players this summer. The penalties, combined with growing frustration regarding the continued employment of team president Chris Klein, forced the Galaxy’s three main supporters groups, the Angel City Brigade, the LA Riot Squad and the Galaxians, to launch a boycott of the team’s home matches. The three supporters’ groups missed the team’s first four home games, with the ACB only recently returning to Dignity Health Sports Park beginning on May 6 against Colorado.
Then came the 2023 season itself. First, its much-hyped season opener at the Rose Bowl against LAFC, a match in which around 70,000 tickets had been sold, was rained out and had to be rescheduled to July 4, then the Galaxy allowed its cross-town rivals to finally get a win on its home turf back in April, and finally, the Galaxy are currently sitting in last place with just nine points and a 28-3 record. Its recent road trip last week was a disaster, first losing to the Columbus Crew 2-0, then allowing DC United to score three late goals to stumble to yet another loss.
However, on Tuesday night, against those same rivals they allowed to celebrate on its home field a month earlier, this time in the Round of 16 in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the Galaxy finally got the breaks. Highlight goals from Tyler Boyd and Riqui Puig inside a three minute stretch early in the second half enabled the Galaxy to eliminate LAFC from the tournament with the 2-0 decision.
“Obviously a win is a win, and there’s no better flex than to get a win,” Galaxy keeper Jonathan Klinsmann said. “Today it wasn’t perfect, but I think we covered each other’s mistakes and I think that is a huge plus that we can take from this game and then go into the next one at home.”
The win moves the Galaxy into the quarterfinals, where they will await the winner of another rivalry match, this one between Rocky Mountain rivals Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids. The Galaxy also get a measure of revenge against LAFC, knocking them out of the US Open Cup in its home stadium a month after LAFC had finally gotten the better of them on its home pitch.
“I mean, it’s… any time you’re on the road against your rival and it’s a knockout type of game,” Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said. “They’ve got a great crowd. And it’s a hard place to play. They don’t lose many games here. So, you’ve got to come and execute and weather a couple storms here and there. And you’ve got to take your opportunities.”
The Galaxy finally broke through in the 49th minute. Marky Delgado played Boyd into the penalty area, Boyd made a cutting move inside, then fired a left-footed volley that lasered past Keeper Eldin Jakupovic far post to give the Galaxy the lead. Then it was Puig’s turn to deliver the highlights, as he dribbled towards the penalty area, made hesitating move to evade one defender, split two more defenders, then chipped a ball past Jakupovic just outside the six-yard box and the ball trickled across the goal line to double the lead. The Galaxy wilted away the remainder of the match.
“I am very happy for the goal, I want to thank my team because I think we have been working really hard the last couple of weeks,” Puig said. “It’s true we are a little affected on the mental aspect, especially in games where we get scored on first and then it’s really hard for us to react. But we are moving forward and we are more united than ever.”
The Galaxy’s big second half erased a moment in the fist half that threatened to reignite the bad vibes that has felt all too familiar so far this year. It started in the 33rd minute, as Delgado was fouled by LAFC’s Erik Duenas inside the left side of the penalty area, and Allen Chapman signaled the Galaxy to the penalty area. Puig stepped up to the spot, but Jakupovic guessed right, diving to his left to deny the penalty and LAFC ultimately cleared the ball out of play.
While LAFC is off for the next eight days to prepare for the CONCACAF Champions League Final against Leon, the Galaxy are back in league play on Saturday, as they host Charlotte FC.
