Galaxy Earn Point Against Cruz Azul, But Fall in Dramatic Leagues Cup Penalty Shootout

CARSON — The LA Galaxy salvaged a crucial point in their Leagues Cup group stage on Sunday night, but ultimately fell to Cruz Azul in a tense penalty shootout. Despite playing on home soil at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy faced a sellout crowd of 24,285 that was overwhelmingly in favor of the visiting Liga MX side. This “road game” atmosphere set the stage for a physical, back-and-forth battle that saw the Galaxy secure a 1-1 draw in regulation, only to lose a marathon shootout 8-7.

Pec’s Late Equalizer and a Marathon Shootout

The match was a tale of two halves for the Galaxy. Cruz Azul, fresh off a humiliating 7-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders, started aggressively, with Carlos Rodriguez scoring in the 21st minute to take an early lead. The Galaxy struggled to create opportunities in the first half, registering just one shot on target.

However, the team showed resilience in the second half. Following a series of tactical adjustments by coach Greg Vanney, the Galaxy found their rhythm. The equalizer finally came in the 81st minute when Gabriel Pec, who had been a constant threat, made a well-timed central run to connect with a perfect cross from substitute Mauricio Cuevas. The goal secured a valuable point in the standings, but the drama was far from over.

The ensuing penalty shootout was a nail-biter. After both teams converted their first eight attempts, the Galaxy’s Emiro Garces missed his shot, allowing Cruz Azul’s Mateo Levy to clinch the win. The extra point on offer, though lost, did not diminish the Galaxy’s fighting spirit. As defender John Nelson noted, “I’m happy with how we played and the fight, you have to be proud of that.”

Tactical Shifts and Defensive Grit

Coach Greg Vanney’s halftime adjustments proved pivotal in the Galaxy’s second-half resurgence. By bringing on forward Matheus Nascimento and shifting Marco Reus into a more attacking midfield role, the team was able to put more pressure on the Cruz Azul defense.

On the defensive end, goalkeeper Novak Micovic came up with several key saves, including a game-saving stop on Mateo Levy in the 86th minute, to keep the Galaxy in the game. Joseph Paintsil, despite not scoring, was a constant force, drawing fouls and creating opportunities for his teammates. These individual efforts, combined with a more cohesive team performance, allowed the Galaxy to claw their way back from a one-goal deficit.

Navigating the Leagues Cup Standings

With the shootout loss, the Galaxy’s total points now stand at four. The team will enter the final round of the group stage in fifth place among the 18 MLS teams, with their fate still hanging in the balance.

Vanney acknowledged the difficulty of advancing, noting that a total of seven points would likely be needed to secure a spot in the next round. This makes their upcoming match against Santos Laguna on Thursday night a must-win scenario. The Galaxy will need to secure all three points to have a realistic chance of finishing as one of the top four teams from either MLS or Liga MX that will advance to the quarterfinals. The loss of the extra point in the shootout puts even more pressure on the team to perform.

Final Takeaway

While the loss was disappointing, the Galaxy’s performance against a formidable opponent in a hostile environment showed tenacity and resolve. The team’s second-half comeback, led by Gabriel Pec’s clutch goal and crucial defensive plays, demonstrated that they have the heart to compete. All eyes will now be on their final group stage match against Santos Laguna, where they will need to deliver a convincing win to keep their Leagues Cup dreams alive.