CITY SC tops Galaxy in LA, 3-1

CARSON, Calif. — St. Louis CITY SC scored twice before halftime and added a third after the break to beat the LA Galaxy 3-1 on Wednesday night at Dignity Health Sports Park.

St. Louis took control early and carried a 2-0 lead into halftime. Lukas MacNaughton opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, and Marcel Hartel struck four minutes later to give St. Louis a 2-0 halftime lead.

“I scored a big one,” MacNaughton said when asked about his opening goal. “It’s something we practice on the training ground, and something that we have gotten close to I think a couple times this year and this one connected. We’ve been working on it and it finally connected. I’m happy to contribute and it always feels good to do so.”

CITY would then add another goal in the second half courtesy of Simon Becher putting the match out of reach.

Galaxy get late goal in second half, outperforms CITY SC on other factors

The Galaxy got a late goal of their own by Troy Elgersma. However, the result was decided after St. Louis had a strong match. CITY took advantage of a man advantage following Emiro Garcés’ second yellow card and red card in the 49th minute.

LA finished with equal possession and more attacking volume, but could not turn those numbers into enough goals. The Galaxy held 50% possession, outshot St. Louis 20-5, and had an 8-3 edge in shots on target, while also leading 8-2 in corners.

LA also finished with 86.6% passing accuracy compared with 67.6% for St. Louis. However, the visitors were more efficient in front of goal.

The match was also a physical one, with LA receiving five yellow cards and one red card, while St. Louis was booked for a yellow once.

Damet pleased with result, not pleased with level of play

While he was pleased with the result, CITY SC head coach Yoann Damet wasn’t exactly pleased with one in L.A.

“Listen, I’m going to be honest, I’m happy about the result,” Damet said. “I’m not so happy about the way we played tonight. I think there a lot of things we could have done better to control the game, like even more playing of man.”

Damet, of course, was referring to the level of play while L.A. was a man down and the 86th minute goal from Elgersma.

Wednesday’s win brings CITY SC’s points total to 22, tied for eighth with Minnesota. Per the league’s tiebreaker provisions, CITY is ranked higher. The Galaxy’s loss just puts them slightly below playoff contention at 20 points.

“I think this group has been working really had to set high standards, and now that we are in a playoff spot,” said Simon Becher during the press conference. “I think continuing to grow and continuing to improve, continuing to climb, not being satisfied where we are.”

Two matchdays until Leagues Cup break

There are two more matchdays docket before another league break for the Leagues Cup. League action will continue following the conclusion of Phase One on August 15.

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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