Written By: Wendy Pintor
The Galaxy extended the unbeaten run at home to four matches dating back to June 21 LA – Playing their first game in 28 days, including both regular play and Leagues Cup upset, the LA Galaxy earned a 3-0 shutout win over Chicago Fire FC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday night. Tyler Boyd, Riqui Puig, and Billy Sharp each recorded goals, while Jonathan Bond made four saves in the win over Chicago.
LA Galaxy Against Chicago Fire FC marks the 55th all-time meeting across all competitions between the Galaxy and Chicago Fire FC, with LA leading the series 26-20-9 the Galaxy holds a record of 13-6-4. Notably, in 13 regular-season matches played against Chicago dating back to Sept. 4, 2010, LA holds an unbeaten record of 8-0-5, thus the game was maybe seen as a way to start off on the right foot, since in the previous competition they have not been able to move up in the bracket.
The long break after the leagues cup has regrouped this team, “They are hungry the group of new guys want to work and want to win, and I think we were able to show that in tonight’s performance said Head Coach Greg Vanney post match
The goal-scoring play for LA was Tyler Boyd, in the 29th minute, Douglas Costa’s swinging free-kick delivery into the box after a slight pivot to kick of Riqui Puig was then headed down by Maya Yoshida to Tyler Boyd, whose half-volleyed shot found the back of the net from close range. A second goal by Riqui Puig 72nd minute, with Douglas Costa passing into the right side of the penalty and finding Riqui Puig, who fired his right-footed shot past Chris Brady. “ The challenge that I have now as a coach is keeping these guys happy because they all want to be on the field a lot and they want to play, as I look to see who I bring on from the bench from the former players and the new players…. They all have integrated and see the vision moving forward…” added Vanney.
The Debuts for the LA Galaxy were delighted to come out and play for the team, four players made their LA Galaxy debut in the match against Chicago. Maya Yoshida and Edwin Cerrillo both started and played 90 minutes in the win over the Fire. Billy Sharp tallied a goal in his debut off the bench and Michael Barrios logged nine minutes off the bench in the victory against Chicago.
Meanwhile the old #14 of Austin FC, Diego Fagundez had a clerical error occur while trying to enter the field yesterday twice, now #21 for LA Galaxy. “This being an error of the staff or of the league, I am still not sure what happened but to my knowledge, he was not able to play because of two 14s and then when we did change his shirt, he was still not allowed to play.” Regardless of everyone already knowing that Javier “Chicharito” Hernández always wears #14 even on the national team, this error was truly a sign that no one can ever replace the legend himself.
Last night the Galaxy took on their first objective to win a game after a long break, to move onward and get familiar with new faces who have been joking with the team recently. it became very genuine when the fans made the players feel so welcomed, during the week at practice and upon game day, Maya Yoshida, Edwin Cerrillo, Michael Barrios, and Billy Sharp, were pleased with the love.
Although some fans continue to not be happy with some of the final decisions that the team took signing these new players there’s no room to be a tad bit picky because then they would not taken this uplifting victory that in the past has haunted fans of the teams to reform at the fullest potential.
With the win over Chicago, the Galaxy improved to 4-1-4 (18 GF, 13 GA) in their last nine regular-season matches played dating back to May 31. Additionally, LA extended its unbeaten run at home to four matches (3-0-1; 10 GF, 4 GA) dating back to June 21.
LA will be back home after they play San Jose’s Earthquakes at PayPal Park on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
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