The following is a press release from the LA Galaxy.
CARSON, CA (April 24, 2016) – There are no undefeated teams left in MLS this season, as the LA Galaxy snapped Real Salt Lake’s unbeaten run in 2016 by a 5-2 margin at StubHub Center on Saturday evening.
LA Galaxy Hand RSL Their First Loss, 5-2
It appeared the scoring would start in the 6th minute, as Steven Gerrard stepped up to take a penalty after Tony Beltran wrapped his arm around Giovani Dos Santos in the box, but Nick Rimando saved the attempt to keep the game scoreless.
The visitors drew first blood, as Juan Manuel “Burrito” Martinez beat Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe with a snap header off Luke Mulholland’s cross in the 16th minute.
But LA came roaring back, as Gyasi Zardes took on three defenders and equalized off a shot from the edge of the box three minutes later. Mike Magee then grabbed the go-ahead goal in the 26th minute, finishing off Emmanuel Boateng’s low cross from close range, before Boateng himself opened his LA account in the 41st minute, making a late run into the box and latching onto a touch from Zardes to bury the chance.
Dos Santos continued the scoring form he showed last week against Houston, as he took an improvised pass from Boateng in the final minute of the half, pivoted around and hit a blistering shot to the far post for a memorable golazo.
Second-half substitute Javier Morales scored the only goal after the break, as Daniel Steres pulled down Yura Movsisyan in the penalty area, and Morales converted from the spot for RSL.
Gerrard did get consolation for his penalty, as he scored his first goal of the season in second-half stoppage time.
