Gabriel Pec's big night leads Galaxy past SKC

Field Level Media|published: Sun 16th June, 01:12 2024

Jun 15, 2024; Carson, California, USA; Sporting Kansas City forward Stephen Afrifa (30) controls the ball in the second half against the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Gabriel Pec had a goal and two assists and Dejan Joveljic had one of each to help the Los Angeles Galaxy record a 4-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night at Carson, Calif.

Joseph Paintsil and Miguel Berry also scored goals and Miki Yamane added two assists as the Galaxy (8-3-7, 31 points) remained unbeaten at home (5-0-3). Los Angeles played without star Riqui Puig (groin).

Paintsil scored his fifth goal of the season after missing the previous four matches due to a hamstring injury.

Stephen Afrifa and Robert Castellanos scored goals for Sporting Kansas City (3-10-5, 14 points). Sporting KC has lost eight of its last nine MLS matches.

The Galaxy took just 11 shots but 10 were on target. Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia made six saves.

John McCarthy made two saves for Los Angeles.

Sporting KC took 20 shots but just four were on goal as they fell to 1-6-2 on the road.

Los Angeles moved ahead in the 40th minute when they put pressure on Melia.

Melia initially made a stop of Pec's left-footed shot and then stymied Joveljic's right-footed rebound attempt. But the ball came back to Joveljic, and he slammed it into the net for his 10th goal of the season.

The Galaxy took a two-goal lead in the 54th minute when Pec was dribbling through the box and suddenly whipped a misdirection left-footed shot through two defenders and past Melia. It was his fifth goal of the season.

Sporting KC got on the board in the 66th minute. Erik Thommy delivered a swift cross to Afrifa, who sent a right-footer into the net for his first goal of the season.

Just nine minutes later, Los Angeles made it 3-1 after a Sporting KC miscue in the midfield. Paintsil was running free and Yamane spotted him and sent a left-footed cross for an easy tap-in right-footed goal.

Sporting KC again moved within one in the 82nd minute as Johnny Russell executed a solid free kick. Castellanos made a run toward the net, put his left foot on the ball and knocked it past McCarthy for his first goal of the season.

Berry put the game away with a right-footed tap-in in the second minute of second-half stoppage time. Pec spotted him open at the doorstep of the net. It was Berry's second goal of the season.

--Field Level Media

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