Galaxy continue to Plummet down the Western Conference after 2-1 loss to D.C United
After unveiling new signing Cristian Pavon from Boca Juniors this past Thursday, LA Galaxy was hoping their new number 10 would help spark their attack and break them out of a horrid losing form off the back of a 4-0 thumping from the Portland Timbers and a 3-0 shutout from Atlanta United. D.C. United stood in their way of a desperately needed 3 points but beating D.C. in front of their home fans at Audi Field would be no easy task.
As for D.C. United, they come into this match a weaker side as their two star front men Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta were not in the starting 11. Rooney, who recently agreed to a deal to leave for English side Derby County in the winter, was ruled out due to illness and Acosta was demoted to the bench by coach Ben Olsen, who returned to a 4-2-3-1 formation. The omission of both stars begged the question: how would the 3rd seat team in the Eastern Conference fair?
The first half was used by both sides to feel each other out resulting in many long shots outside the box and fouls throughout. Galaxy controlled possession, even having a possible penalty opportunity in the 26th minute after a collision inside the box between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Jalen Robinson. Nothing would come about for both teams, however.
Come the 28th minute, D.C. United found the unlikely breakthrough after Paul Arriola slipped through the cracks of a shaky LA defense, slotting it past David Bingham. What looked to be a routine goal kick turned into a nightmare for the Galaxy as their backline collapsed following a great first touch and lob pass from Ulises Segura. LA was in trouble.
The Galaxy, again fighting from behind for the third straight game, looked to respond quickly. Zlatan and Uriel Antuna would have chances in the 32nd and 34th minutes after LA ramped up the pressure in the D.C. box but the home side held firm.
LA looked certain to equalize but come the 43rd minute, D.C. looked to be two ahead after a rebound from Paul Arriola was put in by Lucas Rodriguez. However, after closer review, VAR was used to rule out the goal after Rodriguez was caught offside by a mile. Galaxy would have a final chance to end the half by Antuna with a low driven shot in the box after a corner. However, it would be miraculously saved by D.C. keeper Bill Hamid. D.C. took the lead into the half.
As the second half began, the Galaxy made short work of the deficit scoring in the 48th minute. Favio Alvarez was at the right place at the right time as a cross into Zlatan found its way to him as he guided the ball past Bill Hamid leveling the score.
It was game on again. Galaxy again dominated possession, finishing with 70 percent of it. Crosses flew into the D.C. box throughout the half with the closest chance coming from Zlatan smashing a volley. Bill Hamid turned into Superman for a moment as he somehow saved the volley in the 70th minute. D.C. United, although not having much possession, picked its spots countering Galaxy any chance they could trying to find that killer through ball.
That through ball would never come to be for D.C. but a rebound did just the trick in the 73rd minute. The home side broke the deadlock through Lucas Rodriguez after Galaxy was caught in transition and a rebound shot from Paul Arriola found Rodriguez in the area as D.C. swarmed the box. LA was now staring down a 2-1 deficit and a third straight loss.
LA would not let the ball leave the D.C. half, heavily pushing for at least a draw at this point. The only significant chance, however, came in the 88th minute with Favio Alvarez trying his luck from outside but again Bill Hamid came to play, saving everything Galaxy threw at him late in the game.
D.C. would claim all three points in the end after a hard-earned victory. They take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in their next fixture. The Galaxy again would fall in their third straight game conceding 9 and only scoring once. However, they have no time to dwell on their losses as FC Dallas awaits them back home in Los Angeles.
