It is definitely a different year, different vibe for the LA Galaxy.
Hosting Western Conference-leading Real Salt Lake at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Los Angeles Galaxy fell behind 2-0 in the first half, and in recent seasons, such a start would’ve been a death knell. Not this year though, as the Galaxy staged a furious second-half rally, as goals from Gabriel Pec and most importantly, from Miguel Berry at the death enabled the Galaxy to overcome two goals from RSL’s Cristian Arango, and more importantly, it salvaged a 2-2 draw.
“I think this group has shown that this year,” Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said of the team’s resilience. “I think this group has shown that they believe they can score. They believe that they can get back into a game. It’s just a matter about how we go about doing that and that to me it’s really kind of the discussion tonight.”
The result keeps the Galaxy (5-2-, 20 points) in the top half of the Western Conference, as they are tied points-wise with Minnesota United for second in the Western Conference, and both teams are two points back of RSL.
Trailing 2-0, the Galaxy finally got on the board in the 54th minute. Joseph Paintsil played a ball to Riqui Puig, who cut left into the middle lane, the played Pec into the penalty area and Pec blasted a left-footed shot that deflected off keeper Zac MacMath, but hit the back net to pull the Galaxy to within a goal.
RSL however took the lead into stoppage time, and were in fact seconds away from sealing the three points, but the Galaxy made the most of one last chance. Puig crossed a ball into the penalty area, and it looked like a sure collection for MacMath, but Berry slid to beat MacMath to the ball, and his effort paid off as he touched a ball, and his touch was enough for the ball to cross the goal line for a shocking equalizer.
“I knew if I just nicked in front, it could get in there,” Berry said. “Really happy to score and obviously wanted the three points, but we’ll take the point given the situation.”
It was the Cristian Arango show in the first half. Arango got RSL on the board in the 20th minute, as Alexandros Katranis sent a left-footed cross into the penalty area and Arango headed a ball that sailed past keeper John McCarthy far post for the game’s first goal. Arango got his brace in the 40th minute, as Matt Crooks sprung Andres Gomez down the right side, Gomez dribbled into the penalty area, played a ball back towards the penalty spot and Arango came in and one-timed a ball past McCarthy into the back net.
