Marco Reus gave the thrilling city duel in Los Angeles a decisive twist in the closing stages. Cedric Teuchert and Hany Mukhtar got on the scoresheet in the MLS
Ex-Frankfurt man Dejan Joveljic was one of the protagonists in a thrilling “El Trafico” in the Californian metropolis of Los Angeles – and Marco Reus also played a role in the LA Galaxy’s 4:2 victory over LAFC.
For the visitors, things initially looked dazzling. Mateusz Bogusz (4th) and Denis Bouanga after an assist from Timothy Tillman (15th) gave LAFC a 2-0 lead in the opening quarter of an hour. The home side began their comeback from the 53rd minute onwards. Joveljic (53rd, 67th) and Edwin Cerillo (55th) turned the tables within twelve minutes. And when Lewis O’Brien was shown the red card in the 79th minute for FC, coached by Steven Cherundolo, the rivals took advantage of their superior numbers to score the decisive goal. Reus set up ex-Barcelona professional Riqui Puig in front of the penalty area, who scored his tenth goal of the season with a well-placed shot into the right corner to make it 4:2 (86′).
“I’m proud of the boys because they got punched in the face at the start but fought back well afterwards,” said Galaxy coach Greg Vanney. For the first time after three straight defeats against LAFC, Galaxy managed to win the derby again. Reus & Co. lead the Western Conference table with 55 points ahead of their second-placed city rivals (47).
Teuchert’s lightning goal is not enough for St. Louis
St. Louis City SC (28) are second to last after a 3-1 home defeat against Minnesota United and despite Cedric Teuchert’s 4th-minute opening goal. Ex-Augsburg player Kelvin Yeboah decided the game from the penalty spot in the closing stages.
Meanwhile, Nashville SC are second-last in the East, which Inter Miami (62 points) continue to lead after a brilliant comeback by Lionel Messi. After all, the club from Tennessee won 2:0 in Atlanta. Former MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar from Berlin scored the goal to make it 2-0.
Coach Sandro Schwarz and the New York Red Bulls lost 2-1 at Chicago Fire and remain in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.