LA Galaxy fall to NYCFC and lose their third consecutive game
The Los Angeles Galaxy brought their two-game losing streak home as they hosted New York City FC for their share of MLS action this weekend. With their home record of no losses on the line, things weren’t looking too well for the Angelino’s from the start as their best player, Mexican Jonathan Dos Santos, was scratched from the lineup due to an ongoing injury.
Almost from the get-go, the team felt the midfield maestro’s absence. NYCFC dominated from the beginning and maintained that possession and tempo throughout the first half. At times the home team seemed to respond; however, they lacked creativity. Their best opportunity to turn things around came at the 27th minute, when a Daniel Steres through ball left a wide open Uriel Antuna and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in front of goal, with the latter quickly pushing the ball into the back of the net. However, the play would be called offside by the line judge. The visitors would get their chance as well, taking advantage of their dominance and scoring two goals just before the half. NYCFC striker, Héber, opened up the scoring at the 44th minute off a rebound from David Bingham. Just a few minutes later, Uriel Antuna would slide inside his penalty area and deflect a through-ball with his hand. After further VAR review, referee Chris Penso called the penalty in New York City’s favor, with Maxi Moralez stepping up to convert the 2-0.
For the second half, the home team tried picking up the pace a bit more, gaining a bit more possession, but they still struggled to convert it into something meaningful. Antuna, who played a good game, came close to scoring at the 55th minute; however, his kick went too high over the top of the goal. Although the Mexican played a good game, he was a bit unbridled at times, expending all his energy on runs that amounted to not much for the Galaxy. He eventually left the game to a crowd ovation at the 71st minute in exchange for Orange County native, Chris Pontius. Immediately upon coming in, Pontius connected with a header that just narrowly missed the right side of the goal post. Things did not get better for the Galaxy from there, with their only other real chance at scoring coming from a Zlatan lob towards a lonely goal post. Eventually, a New York defender was able to step up to head the ball away towards a corner kick. The game would end as a 2-0 loss for the Galaxy, their first at home this season.
After the game, Zlatan and Joe Corona, two leaders of the team, lamented the loss of Jonathan Dos Santos for the game and commented as to how much of an impact the Mexican has for their games. Corona also mentioned their cross-country schedule for their past three games played an obvious role in the team’s fatigue. With the loss, the LA Galaxy remain second in the Western Conference, leaving the option open for Houston or Seattle to knock them into third.
The Angelino’s will remain at home and play host to the winless Colorado Rapids next week, while New York fly’s out to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Fire.
