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LA Galaxy Late Comeback Falls Short In Orlando

Galaxy

Orlando City SC has won four consecutive games in its new stadium, the first time in Major League Soccer history. They did it at the mercy of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Galaxy were sluggish in the first 45 minutes but the second half was full of excitement that featured a Romain Alessandrini equalizer and a Cyle Larin stoppage time game-winning volley. The loss for the Galaxy means the five-time MLS champions are now 2-4 this season with only six points.

On paper, the Galaxy’s attack looked strong, but that was not the case when they stepped on the field.

The Galaxy had a regretful start to the game.

Just six minutes into the match, Orlando struck both posts in one shot as the ball bounced along the Galaxy goal-line but somehow stayed out.

Orlando got the breakthrough on a stunning finish from Will Johnson, who struck a half volley with near perfection to get up and over Clement Diop and into the back of the net.

Jelle van Damme was called into action a few times early on in the first half, making blocks and cutting off crosses.

Orlando rattled the inside of the post again, beating Diop but not getting into the net. The Galaxy looked all out of sorts.

LA had some movement forward but the Galaxy struggled to string passes together and should consider themselves lucky to only have been down one goal at the 20-minute mark in the game.

The Galaxy’s attack was poor. The closest LA came in the first half was an off-target looping header from Giovani Dos Santos that barely missed the far post.

At halftime, Orlando’s lone goal looked like it would be enough to keep the Galaxy tamed after poor play from the Galaxy, who were fortunate to only trail Orlando by only one.

The Galaxy had a second half come from behind win at Real Salt Lake earlier in the season in a 2-1 win at Rio Tinto Stadium.

The Galaxy pressed in the second half and saw a couple of chances stopped or go just wide of Orlando’s goal.

The home side had some chances of their own too but could not get the final touch right on several promising opportunities.

In the 67th minute, a one-on-one chance for Orlando was denied by Diop who made a point-blank save on Giles Barnes but the Galaxy keeper was injured in the process. Brian Rowe warmed up on the sideline while Diop received treatment, though he had a minor limp for the rest of the match.

Bradford Jamieson IV came on for Emmanuel Boateng during the injury stoppage to bring some width to the side.

The Galaxy got its share of hitting woodwork when a Dos Santos free kick nailed the crossbar. The rebound was put on goal by Daniel Steres but it was cleared off the line and out for a corner.

Dos Santos came alive after his close shot, getting in behind the backline but a heavy touch was too easy for Joe Bendik in goal to come out and claim it.

Romain Alessandrini should have scored when he was set up on his dominant left foot but failed to curl the ball under the bar. In the following play, Jamieson had an effort go wide when he got on the end of a cross but the breakthrough was soon to come.

It was Alessandrini who finally found the net for the Galaxy after plenty of pressure throughout the second half. The frenchman turned well at the top of the box onto his right foot and smashed it home to the near post to equalize.

Gyasi Zardes had a primarily quiet outing and was subbed in the final minutes of the game for Jack McBean.

On a stoppage time corner, Orlando won the game. Cyle Larin found himself a half-a-yard of space to volley home a corner from six-yards out to win the game.

With time expiring the Galaxy put the ball in the box a few times but Orlando escaped with all three points.

The Galaxy will take on defending champion Seattle Sounders next weekend at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

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