There are no undefeated teams left in MLS this season, as the LA Galaxy snapped Real Salt Lake's unbeaten run in 2016 by a 4-2 margin at StubHub Center on Saturday evening.
It appeared the scoring would start in the 6th minute, as Steven Gerrard stepped up to take a penalty after Tony Beltran wrapped his arm around Giovani Dos Santos in the box, but Nick Rimando saved the attempt to keep the game scoreless.
The visitors drew first blood, as Juan Manuel "Burrito" Martinez beat Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowewith a snap header off Luke Mulholland's cross in the 16th minute.
But LA came roaring back, as Gyasi Zardes took on three defenders and equalized off a shot from the edge of the box three minutes later. Mike Magee then grabbed the go-ahead goal in the 26th minute, finishing off Emmanuel Boateng's low cross from close range, before Boateng himself opened his LA account in the 41st minute, making a late run into the box and latching onto a touch from Zardes to bury the chance.
Dos Santos continued the scoring form he showed last week against Houston, as he took an improvised pass from Boateng in the final minute of the half, pivoted around and hit a blistering shot to the far post for a memorable golazo.
Second-half substitute Javier Morales scored the only goal after the break, as Daniel Steres pulled down Yura Movsisyan in the penalty area, and Morales converted from the spot for RSL.
Gerrard did get consolation for his penalty, as he scored his first goal of the season in second-half stoppage time.
LA Galaxy 5, Real Salt Lake 2
Saturday, April 23, 2016
2016 MLS Regular Season
StubHub Center – Carson, California
Scoring Summary:
RSL – Juan Manuel Martinez (Assisted by Luke Mulholland) 16’
LA – Gyasi Zardes (Assisted by Baggio Husidic) 19’
LA – Mike Magee (Assisted by Emmanuel Boateng) 26’
LA – Emmanuel Boateng (Assisted by Gyasi Zardes, Giovani dos Santos) 41’
LA – Giovani dos Santos (Assisted by Emannuel Boateng, Mike Magee) 45’
RSL – Javier Morales (Penalty Kick) 70’
LA – Steven Gerrard 90’+1
Misconduct Summary:
RSL – Kyle Beckerman (caution) 13’
LA – Gyasi Zardes (caution) 38’
RSL – Tony Beltran (caution) 57’
RSL – Jamison Olave (caution) 60’
LA – Jelle Van Damme (caution) 67’
Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Brian Rowe; A.J. DeLaGarza (Robbie Rogers 80’), Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Ashley Cole; Baggio Husidic (Jeff Larentowicz 76’), Steven Gerrard ©; Mike Magee (Bradford Jamieson IV 92’), Giovani dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng; Gyasi Zardes.
Substitutions not used: Dan Kennedy, Dave Romney, Rafael Garcia, Ariel Lassiter.
SHOTS: 17; SHOTS ON GOAL: 12; CORNERS: 4; OFFSIDES: 0; SAVES: 5
Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando; Tony Beltran, Aaron Maund, Chris Wingert, Jamison Olave; Luke Mulholland, John Stertzer (Javier Morales 45’), Kyle Beckerman ©, Juan Manuel Martinez (Demar Phillips 16’), Yura Movsisyan, Jordan Allen (Olmes Garcia 78’).
Substitutions not used: Jeff Attinella, Devon Sandoval, Justen Glad, Sunday Stephen
SHOTS: 21; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; CORNERS: 6; OFFSIDES: 0; SAVES: 6
Referee: Edvin Jurisevic
Referee’s Assistants: Jeff Hosking and Andrew Bigelow
4th Official: Alejandro Mariscal
Attendance: 25,867
