Seventeen matches into the 2025 season, the Los Angeles Galaxy finally collected their first victory with Saturday’s 2-0 win over visiting Real Salt Lake.
The Galaxy’s 16-match (0-12-4) winless drought tied for the third-longest in MLS history. A loss or a draw against RSL would’ve given LA the dubious distinction of the league’s longest single-season winless streak.
However, Saturday’s solid performance saw Los Angeles (1-12-4, 7 points) belatedly show some resemblance to the club that won last season’s MLS Cup.
Lucas Sanabria and Joseph Paintsil each scored their first goals of the season. It was Sanabria’s first goal since being acquired by Los Angeles in February, while Paintsil broke through after an injury-plagued start to his season.
LA goalkeeper Novak Micovic made four saves for his (and the Galaxy’s) first shutout of the season in MLS play.
The loss extended RSL’s own winless drought to seven matches (0-4-3).
Despite a 20-9 edge in shots, Salt Lake (4-10-3, 15 points) was held scoreless for the seventh time this season. Zavier Gozo and William Agada each hit the goalpost in RSL’s closest chances of the match.
A slick passing play led to the Galaxy’s opening goal in the 17th minute, starting when defender John Nelson passed to Matheus Nascimento in the box. The forward then took the ball to the edge of the goalkeeper’s area for a cross, and Sanabria was in position in front to convert Nascimento’s pass.
Real Salt Lake emerged from the halftime break with renewed momentum, delivering three quality scoring chances within a seven-minute span. Micovic made a pair of nice saves to deny Nelson Palacio and Dominik Marczuk, and defender Miki Yamane made a good play in front to stop Sam Junqua from getting a touch on a dangerous pass.
Los Angeles weathered that flurry from RSL and then extended the lead in the 55th minute. Paintsil took a long pass into the box and then momentarily lost the ball to Noel Caliskan, only for the ball to take a fortunate bounce right back to Paintsil. Given a second opportunity, Paintsil buried a well-placed shot.
–Field Level Media
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