The defending MLS champion Los Angeles Galaxy finally possess a victory after setting a dubious record of 16 straight winless matches to begin a season.
Now they will look to ride the momentum toward a second straight triumph when they visit St. Louis City on Saturday.
Los Angeles (1-12-4, 7 points) ended the funk of 12 setbacks and four draws to open the season with a solid 2-0 victory over visiting Real Salt Lake on May 31.
The performance provided a bit of light during a half-season full of frustration for the Galaxy, who haven’t given up on making a playoff run despite being in last place in the 15-team Western Conference.
“I don’t see why we can’t get on a run,” Los Angeles coach Greg Vanney said. “For us, as a group, it’s about learning how to win and getting across the finish line.”
Lucas Sanabria and Joseph Paintsil scored the goals for the Galaxy against Salt Lake. The defensive effort was stellar, especially considering the club is tied for last in the league with 36 goals allowed.
“I think more of the pieces are starting to come together,” Vanney said.
Los Angeles is hopeful that standout midfielder Marco Reus (thigh) will be back after a one-game absence. Reus is tied with Diego Fagundez with three goals, one behind team leader Christian Ramirez.
The Galaxy are looking to beat St. Louis City for the first time. Los Angeles is 0-2-3 after losing 3-0 to visiting St. Louis City on March 9.
St. Louis City (3-9-5, 14 points) is also enduring a tough season and is in 14th place in the West.
But the squad has displayed life in its first two matches under interim coach David Critchley. St. Louis recorded a 2-1 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes in Critchley’s debut before falling 2-1 on Sunday against the host Portland Timbers.
St. Louis took a 1-0 lead on Akil Watts’ goal in the 50th minute but it conceded the tying goal five minutes later. The team remained aggressive, and the Timbers capitalized when David Ayala scored the winner in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.
Critchley said he didn’t want to settle for a tie.
“I told them the performance was great, but we have to improve,” Critchley said. “… We’re playing to win every time we step on the field.”
Cedric Teuchert, Marcel Hartel and Simon Becher scored goals in the March win over the Galaxy. Teuchert leads St. Louis with three goals.
–Field Level Media
