CARSON, Calif. — The LA Galaxy snapped a two-game winless streak and kept their playoff hopes alive with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Marco Reus and Robert Taylor scored first-half goals as the Galaxy built a two-goal lead before holding off a late New England push in front of 18,353 fans.
The Galaxy got on the board early. In the 11th minute, Kyogo Furuhashi was fouled in the box by New England’s Will Sands, drawing a penalty. Reus stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to give LA a 1-0 lead.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute. A well-worked team move involving goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski, newly acquired midfielder Sergi Roberto, Reus, and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano ended with Lozano’s cutback finding Taylor in the area. The Finnish forward finished clinically for his first goal in a Galaxy uniform, making it 2-0.
New England dominated much of the second half in terms of possession and shots (finishing with a 24-8 advantage) but struggled to break through against a resolute Galaxy defense and Marcinkowski, who made several key saves. The Revolution finally scored in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time when Carles Gil converted a penalty after Luca Langoni was fouled, but it proved too little, too late.
A notable moment for the home side came in the second half when new signing Pablo Ruiz made his LA Galaxy debut — and his first appearance at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Argentine midfielder, acquired in a recent trade with Real Salt Lake, entered the match and added energy to the midfield as the Galaxy closed out the result.
The win improves the Galaxy to 7-9-8 (29 points) and provides a much-needed boost in their push for the Western Conference playoffs. New England falls to 11-8-4 (37 points).
LA now turns its attention to a midweek road match at the Vancouver Whitecaps before returning home to face the Seattle Sounders.
Final score: LA Galaxy 2, New England Revolution 1.
Article and photos by Bruno De Witt Zanotto
