Jul 7, 2024; Carson, California, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy ahead Dejan Joveljic (9) heads the ball over Minnesota United midfielder Hassani Dotson (31) within the first half at Dignity Well being Sports activities Park. Obligatory Credit score: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports activities Gabriel Pec scored within the Ninetieth minute to finish his first profession MLS brace and elevate the LA Galaxy to a 2-1 victory over visiting Minnesota United on Sunday night time.
Pec’s eighth and ninth objectives helped the Galaxy (12-4-7, 43 factors) rebound after a 2-1 defeat to LAFC on Thursday night time and transfer stage with LAFC and Actual Salt Lake on factors atop the Western Convention.
Ruqui Puig offered the secondary help on each objectives to deliver his team-leading whole to 10.
Substitute Teemu Pukki pulled Minnesota (8-9-5, 29 factors) stage within the second half in his return from a knee harm and first look since June 1.
However the Loons nonetheless noticed their skid prolonged to 6 matches, and now discover themselves in tenth place within the Western Convention and out of doors the potential MLS Cup Playoff area.
Puig started the play by splaying a move vast proper to substitute Mauricio Cuevas, whose first contact really offered the advantage of evading a Minnesota defender.
Along with his second, Cuevas drove the ball throughout the field for Pec to ship a one-time end from shut vary.
Pec’s opener within the twenty fifth minute was a extra expansive model of the identical purpose, with Puig spraying a ball from the middle of the park to Miki Yamane down the fitting flank.
Yamane replied with a pushed low cross into the trail of Pec, who dove a low, first-touch end previous ‘keeper Alec Smir.
Minnesota thought it had leveled solely six minutes later following a quickly labored counterattack, however Bongi Hlongwane was dominated offside on the buildup following a video assessment.
Pukki pulled Minnesota stage within the 73rd minute when he was allowed time and area after receiving a move on the attacking finish of the middle circle.
The veteran dribbled down the center all the best way to the penalty arc earlier than a defender closed, then curled a well-placed shot into the underside left nook past John McCarthy’s dive.
Minnesota’s Franco Fragapane had a superb late probability to place the guests in entrance after an LA turnover, however McCarthy reacted excellently with a low diving save to his left within the eighty fifth minute.
–Subject Stage Media