Kyogo Furuhashi And Marco Reus Lead Revitalised LA Galaxy Past New England Revolution
The LA Galaxy entered September in the worst form of their season, sitting uncomfortably close to the bottom of the MLS standings.
Their response was bold, starting four players who had not been on the roster two months earlier, including one who had only arrived in the country two weeks prior.
The gamble paid off handsomely, as the Galaxy defeated the New England Revolution 2-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park to breathe fresh life into their playoff hopes.
Kyogo Furuhashi set up the opening goal, Robert Taylor netted the second, and Sergi Roberto helped stifle the New England attack for 56 minutes in a composed team performance.
Marco Reus broke the deadlock in just the 11th minute, converting a penalty kick after Will Sands fouled Furuhashi inside the box, with the Revolution defender receiving a yellow card.
The goal was the fifth of the season for Reus and the 11th in 49 career appearances, a remarkable return for the 37-year-old veteran showing no signs of slowing down.
Taylor doubled the lead in the 33rd minute, scoring his first goal in nine appearances since joining the Galaxy this season, with the strike also representing his 15th in 119 career matches.
Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski was excellent throughout, saving seven shots to help the Galaxy improve their home record to 4-4-4 on the season.
Marcinkowski’s shutout was broken in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time when Carles Gil converted a penalty after Luca Langoni was fouled by Harbor Miller, making it 2-1 and setting up a nervous finish.
Gil’s spot-kick was his eighth goal of the season, but it proved only a consolation as the Galaxy held on to secure a vital three points.
Furuhashi was a constant menace to the Revolution defence throughout the match, and it was his penetrating run into the New England defensive third that earned the opening penalty.
Despite not getting his name on the scoresheet, the former Japan international is proving increasingly difficult for opposition defences to contain in a variety of ways.
Head Coach Greg Vanney spoke of Furuhashi’s ability to make runs and create opportunities, noting the team is developing the capacity to see and spring him into those situations.
Sergi Roberto also reflected on the growing cohesion within the squad, speaking of the talent the team already has as they find comfort playing together.
The win lifted the Galaxy, who now stand at 7-9-8 for the season, and gives the club a genuine platform to mount a serious push for the MLS playoffs.
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