Joao Klauss continues to be exactly the offensive piece the Los Angeles Galaxy needed, scoring a pair of goals in the opening 13 minutes of a 3-0 victory over Charlotte FC on Saturday at Carson, Calif.
Lucas Sanabria also scored an early goal for the Galaxy (1-0-1, 4 points), who have allowed just one goal over their first two MLS matches and two goals in four matches when including a pair of CONCACAF Champions Cup games.
Novak Micovic made one save for Los Angeles, which is integrating 2022 MLS Defender of the Year Jakob Glesnes into the back line after he was acquired from the Philadelphia Union in the offseason.
Kristijan Kahlina made eight saves for Charlotte FC (0-1-1, 1 point), who have scored just one goal through two regular-season contests. Charlotte has played twice on the road to start the season and now will play five consecutive home matches..
After leading Charlotte FC with 11 goals last season, forward Idan Toklomati does not have a shot on target in two games this season.
Sanabria gave the Galaxy a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute when he scored on a rebound off the left post after a shot from distance by teammate Gabriel Pec.
In the 11th minute, Pec created more offense on a centering pass from the right side that Klauss slotted into the net for a 2-0 lead.
Klauss made it 3-0 in the 13th minute when he forced a Charlotte turnover and moved to the top of the penalty area where he scored past Kahlina.
After scoring 25 goals in three seasons with St. Louis City, Klauss now has three goals in two games for the Galaxy after he was acquired in a cash-for-player trade in January.
Los Angeles, which did not earn its first victory until their 17th game last season, had a minus-20 goal differential a year ago, second-worst in the Western Conference.
Klauss played 63 minutes after playing 90 on Wednesday against Sporting SM of Panama on Wednesday and 88 minutes in Los Angeles’ MLS opener last Sunday against New York City FC.
–Field Level Media
