LA Galaxy Return to Winning Column After Schelotto Sacking
The LA Galaxy played host to Real Salt Lake to close out this weekend’s slate of MLS action. Of course the biggest storyline for the Galaxy coming into this game was the recent firing of Head Coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto. After a disastrous 5-2 loss against Portland earlier this week, the following day the Argentine coach was let go, leaving Dominic Kennear as interim head coach of the Angelino team. Kennear, already a legendary coach in his own right (he is currently battling for 2nd most winning coach in MLS history alongside LAFC coach Bob Bradley), was tasked with making sure the Galaxy finish out the remaining three games on a positive note. The first step in that direction? Defeating Real Salt Lake at home.
The second storyline surrounding the Angelino team, though many may argue one of less consequence, was the absence, yet again, of Chicharito Hernandez. The Mexican superstar has by no means lived up to his expectations and fans would have to wait once more to see if the Mexican forward could contribute in any way to the team. Another teammate that has been absent this season is fellow compatriot Jonathan Dos Santos. Fortunately for LA Galaxy fans, he would make the start today.
With Jona at midfield, the game went underway. Early on, the Galaxy was able to respond under their “new” head coach. In the 18th minute of play, they were the first ones to get on the scoreboard first, thanks to a precise Giancarlo Gonzalez header. The first half was a defensive affair on both sides, with neither offense having any success towards goal. The second half began with Real attempting to go for the tie. They came close in the 50th minute of play, nearly scoring on a chip over Galaxy goalkeeper David Bingham. It was Giancarlo Gonzalez once again who came in for the acrobatic save, thus preserving the home teams lead. Tragedy would strike again for the Galaxy as an all too familiar scene played itself out in the 60th minute. Jona Dos Santos would once again exit due to what appeared to be an injury. Joe Corona would be substituted into the game in his place. A few minutes later in the 65th minute of play, it was Cristian Pavon who extended the Galaxy’s lead and in the process scored his 10th goal of the season. Just as fans are accustomed to now, Pavon’s goal came off a wonderful individual effort that saw him take on the opposing defense from near midfield, only for him to drive solo into the box for the score. With things seemingly under control, Real of course still attempted to give it a final push to finish out the game and came close with a score at the 78th minute. This brought the game closer to a tie but in the end the visiting team was not able to complete the comeback and fell short by one goal.
With this result, Real Salt Lake was officially eliminated from playoff contention, while leaving the Galaxy alive for the same. This win helped the Angelino’s move into 10th place for now, with a possibility of making the playoffs with two more wins and Vancouver and San Jose losses on MLS Decision Day 2020. A spot in the playoffs for the Galaxy seems complicated if only because of the next match they have coming up on Wednesday November 4th. That day they face-off against the third place Seattle Sounders. For now, Galaxy fans can remain optimistic that the team has once again secured another win and will hope that the team is able to be up to the challenge when they take on the Sounders first, and then Vancouver. Truly, it will be mostly up to the Galaxy to save their season and continue on to the Audi MLS Playoffs.
