Gabriel Pec’s late goal propels Galaxy to win over FC Dallas
CARSON — One of the biggest battles this season was on display Saturday as the Galaxy struggled to take control of a game, despite having a one-man advantage.
At times, they looked like they would add another frustrating chapter and allow a late goal to FC Dallas, allowing the visitors to escape with a win.
However, thanks to an 87th-minute goal from Gabriel Pec, the Galaxy (6-18-9, 27 points) escaped with a 2-1 win in front of 18,312 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
“I thought the first half was pretty general, pretty well-played, pretty controlled,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “You like to be up by more than one (goal) if you can in that of scenario, but we knew coming in at half, at some point, they (FC Dallas) were going to have to push it.
“I thought at times we were just impatient, making runs and leaving positions that we needed to stay in and control the game. Guys were just running, and they end up building because at 1-1, they’re probably in a reasonable spot. It became harder than we would have liked it to be. You know, when you have a team that’s playing for their playoff lives, it’s never going to be easy. They are going to throw it at you at some point.”
The teams met last Saturday in Texas, with FC Dallas winning 2-1. Saturday’s game was originally scheduled Aug. 30, but was moved when the Galaxy advanced to the Leagues Cup semifinals Aug. 31.
FC Dallas went down a man early after Logan Farrington was issued a red card in the 16th minute for violent conduct for an apparent stomp on Galaxy defender Mauricio Cuevas.
In an answer to the pool reporter question regarding the incident, the PRO (Professional Referee Organization) stated that “Logan Farrington and Mauricio Cuevas were both on the ground. Logan Farrington then stood up and kicked Mauricio Cuevas in the groin, while he was still on the ground.”
The Galaxy finally found the breakthrough in the 42nd minute on Elijah Wynder’s goal for a 1-0 lead. Wynder found the ball after a misplayed clearance by a FC Dallas defender. Wynder’s initial ball went to Pec, who returned the ball into space, allowing Wynder to chase, hold off his defender and score past goalkeeper Michael Collodi.
Despite the 11-10 advantage on the field, things weren’t easy in the second half for the Galaxy. In the 52nd minute, FC Dallas, who needed a win to qualify for the MLS Playoffs, found some much-needed life and a goal from Anderson Julio.
FC Dallas certainly had chances to deliver a final blow to the Galaxy.
In the 79th minute, FC Dallas’ Samuel Sarver got behind the Galaxy defense and was closing in on Galaxy goalkeeper Novak Mićović for a potential game-winner, but Galaxy defender Emiro Garces raced back and disrupted Sarver’s momentum, winning the ball back.
The Galaxy finally put the game away on Pec’s finish. On a long cross in, Maya Yoshida’s header fell toward Garces, who had pushed into the attack. Garces played a short ball to his left, where Pec was, who tucked the ball into the near post for the goal.
The win also lifted Galaxy from the bottom of the league standings, moving them to 27 points, ahead of Atlanta United and D.C. United, currently in the last two spots in the 30-team league.
Not finishing last is the only thing to salvage the season for the Galaxy. The club has already set a new club record for fewest points. With one game remaining, the Galaxy can only finish with 30 points. The Galaxy will conclude the regular season next Saturday at home against Minnesota United FC.
“It’s been a really, really tough season, obviously with the standings, but with these last two games, one more next week, we don’t want to finish last,” defender John Nelson said. “It’s been a tough season, and a combination of everything, injuries, unlucky. Honestly, we didn’t perform. Look at the first 16, 17 games, we just didn’t perform. Our last ten games, I thought it wasn’t that bad …
“It’s been a tough season. I think we are all just mentally, physically getting there. We want to finish it out on a strong note.”