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News, Blog and GuidesThe five-time MLS Cup winners struggled initially but head coach Greg Vanney has praised his side’s perseverance after a poor start to 2023.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Sep 11th, 2023 11:42 EDT
Kiyoshi MioUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
LA Galaxy continued their late push for a playoff place with an impressive comeback to draw 2-2 with Western Conference leaders St. Louis City.
The Galaxy went 2-0 down in the opening half hour but got back into the game early in the second half, thanks to a Riqui Puig penalty. The game swung in the Galaxy’s favour on the hour mark when St. Louis’ Samuel Adeniran was dismissed for a second yellow card.
New signing Billy Sharp scored with less than ten minutes remaining to secure a point for the Galaxy and extend their promising recent record.
Fagundez ➡️ Rosell ➡️ SHARP ⚔️@billysharp10 finds the equalizer off a dime from @DiegolFagundez! pic.twitter.com/JN8RBBbwza
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) September 11, 2023
Can LA Galaxy make the playoffs?
Soccer is often called a ‘game of two halves’ but LA Galaxy have experienced a season of two halves in 2023. They began their MLS campaign with just two wins from their opening 14 fixtures, leaving them stranded at the foot of the Western Conference.
But head coach Greg Vanney has managed to transform their fortunes since then, and the Galaxy have now recorded just one defeat in their last 12 MLS fixtures.
After Sunday’s draw LA Galaxy sit 13th in the East, second from bottom, and seven points adrift of the guaranteed playoff spots. However they are only four points away from FC Dallas in 9th, in the final Wild Card berth.
The West keeps delivering. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/iISk95sfA6
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 11, 2023
LA Galaxy schedule
The Galaxy still have eight fixtures remaining but need to overtake six teams to secure a spot in the 2023 MLS Cup. Of those eight matches, five of them come against teams that they need to overtake to make it into the automatic playoff places.
They still need to play seventh-placed Minnesota United home and away. The Galaxy will finish their MLS regular season campaign against FC Dallas, who currently occupy the final Wild Card slot.
LA Galaxy remaining fixtures
LAFC vs LA Galaxy (16 September)LA Galaxy vs Minnesota United (20 September)Austin vs LA Galaxy (24 September)LA Galaxy vs Portland Timbers (30 September)Seattle Sounders vs LA Galaxy (4 October)Minnesota United vs LA Galaxy (7 October)LA Galaxy vs Real Salt Lake (14 October)LA Galaxy vs FC Dallas (21 October)
It’s crucial period for a team who have made the playoffs just once in the past five season. Speaking after the game on Sunday Greg Vanney said that he has been impressed with his side’s resilience this year.
