Miguel Berry’s late goal salvages a point for the Galaxy in draw with Real Salt Lake
Berry scored deep into stoppage time, helping the Galaxy rally from a 2-0 deficit.
CARSON — These are busy times and month of May for the Galaxy.
The schedule calls for six games this month and the first three will be taking place in this eight-game stretch that started Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Thanks to Miguel Berry, the Galaxy was able to salvage a point with a sliding, toe-poke goal that just crossed the line with about 25 seconds from the end of the game for the 2-2 draw Saturday in front of 25,220 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Berry, who signed with the Galaxy in the off-season, had struggled to get on the end of things early this season. His moment came Saturday that pulled back a point when it appeared that a loss was certain. A last hopeful cross by Riqui Puig found Berry, who was falling toward the ground, but he slid by this defender to get to the ball before MacMath did and get it over the line.
The Galaxy (5-2-5, 20 points) finally got on the scoreboard in the 54th minute on Gabriel Pec’s goal. It was their first goal in three games. The Galaxy had failed to score in their last two (2-0 loss against Austin FC and a scoreless draw against Seattle).
From there, the Galaxy had several decent chances for the equalizer, including a solo run by Joseph Paintsil that ended up with the shot sailing over the bar. In the 74th minute, Utah goalkeeper Zach MacMath lost possession as Pec was swarming near him. With an open Pec tried to thread a tight needle toward the center, but the ball was cleared.
Paintsil was initially subbed off in the 81st minute and walked straight to the locker room.
Old nemesis Juan “Chicho” Arango, who played with LAFC, scored twice in the first half as RSL took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Arango’s goals came after an early stretch where it appeared that the Galaxy would strike first. The Galaxy found success out on the wings with Paintsil, but the final execution came up short. Even the first-half stats showed that the Galaxy probably should have had the lead (the Galaxy had the advantage in shots, shots on goal and expected goals.”
The Galaxy will be on the road for the next two games, Wednesday at Minnesota United and Saturday at Charlotte FC. Through the early weeks of the season, the Galaxy have already played seven road games. Saturday was just the fifth home game.