Gabriel Pec lifts the Galaxy to win over Minnesota United with his 90th-minute goal

Gabriel Pec lifts the Galaxy to win over Minnesota United with his 90th-minute goal

LA Galaxy defender Maya Yoshida, center top, vies for the ball with Minnesota United FC forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane (21) during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, July 7, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney looks on during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Minnesota United FC at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, July 7, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

LA Galaxy defender Martín Cáceres, left, vies for the ball against Minnesota United FC forward Jeong Sang-Bin during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, July 7, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

LA Galaxy forward Gabriel Pec, left, kicks the ball past Minnesota United FC goalkeeper Alec Smir (30) for a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, July 7, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

LA Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy, center back, deflects the ball against the Minnesota United FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, July 7, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

LA Galaxy defender Maya Yoshida, left, kicks the ball against the Minnesota United FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, July 7, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

LA Galaxy defender John Nelson (14) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota United FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, July 7, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

LA Galaxy forward Diego Fagúndez attempts to recover the ball against the Minnesota United FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, July 7, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig kicks the ball against the Minnesota United FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, July 7, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

LA Galaxy midfielder Marco Delgado, front, controls the ball against the Minnesota United FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, July 7, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

LA Galaxy forward Gabriel Pec, center, moves the ball against the Minnesota United FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, July 7, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

LA Galaxy forward Gabriel Pec celebrates after scoring a goal against the Minnesota United FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, July 7, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

of

Expand

CARSON — The Galaxy faced an interesting situation Sunday, coming off of a tough loss Thursday against LAFC and having a short turnaround with Minnesota United FC visiting.

Just as they’ve shown all season, the Galaxy found a way to bounce back from a loss.

Thanks to a two-goal night from Gabriel Pec, the second coming in the 90th minute for the winner in the Galaxy’s (12-4-7, 43 points) 2-1 triumph over Minnesota United in front of 19,302 at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Following a loss, the Galaxy record is now 3-0-1. The win moves the Galaxy into a three-way tie for first place in the Western Conference with LAFC and Real Salt Lake.

The game was the third in a nine-day stretch that started with a 3-0 win over San Jose, June 29. Then came the disappointing and frustrating 2-1 loss July 4 against LAFC.

For 70 minutes, it appeared as if the Galaxy would do enough to see out the win, but the night wouldn’t go that easily.

Minnesota United tied game at 1-1 in the 74th minute on a goal by Teemu Pukki, who had entered as a sub.

The Galaxy found the winner, thanks to an extra effort by Mauricio Cuevas, who set up Pec for the winning tap-in.

The start of the game wasn’t easy for the Galaxy. The Loons came out in a well-structured and compact 5-4-1 formation, looking to take away space in the midfield. However, in the 25th minute, the Galaxy created their space and moment.

Riqui Puig lobbed a ball out of midfield down the right to Miki Yamane. Yamane sent in a cross to Pec for the finish and a 1-0 Galaxy lead.

Pec now has 10 goals, two behind Dejan Jovelijic for the team lead.

Related Articles

Los Angeles Galaxy |


Galaxy’s Mauricio Cuevas seizes upon opportunities

Los Angeles Galaxy |


Swanson: LAFC still has the edge, but Galaxy’s gains make ‘El Trafico’ more fun

Los Angeles Galaxy |


LAFC holds on for El Trafico win against Galaxy at the Rose Bowl

Los Angeles Galaxy |


Galaxy takes on LAFC at the Rose Bowl with first place on the line

Los Angeles Galaxy |


Galaxy home again versus LAFC on July 4th at the Rose Bowl

Moments later, Minnesota scored the equalizer by Alejandro Bran, however, in the build-up, Bongokuhle Hlongwane was ruled to have been in an offside position. Referee Pierre Luc-Lauziere didn’t take long at the video monitor before rendering his decision.

The Loons still managed to threaten the Galaxy defense after the disallowed goal. They went into halftime with four shots on goal.

The first between the teams, May 15 in Minnesota, ended in a 2-2 draw.

The Galaxy returns to action July 13 on the road against FC Dallas, following that they will be home for two games (Colorado, July 17 and Portland, July 20) before the start of the Leagues Cup tournament.

Please follow and like us:
Pin Share