The LA Galaxy faced a needy Real Salt Lake, who arrived desperate to get a positive result to get into the playoffs, however, both shared honors by drawing 1-1.

Sergio Córdova opened the scoring in the first half, so that later in the second half the Galaxy tied the game from 12 steps through Douglas Costa.

The Galactics arrived on Saturday with 46 units occupying the fifth spot in the West and had before them the opportunity at home, at Dignity Health Sports Park, to qualify for the MLS playoffs for the first time since 2019.

Those from Utah arrived with 43 points, in eighth position, two from the qualifying area, so the need was greater for them.

The game started with a Galaxy pressing and getting RSL into their own court, giving them little space to create, exerting their pace of play. Pablo Mastroeni’s men had no choice but to play on the counterattack and wait for the locals’ mistakes.

Javier Hernández remained very active, creating problems at the RSL defense, teaming up with the Spanish Riqui Puig, who in a team play entered the area and was knocked down so that the judge sanctioned the maximum penalty.

Puig was in charge of the charge, but goalkeeper Zac MacMath guessed the side and avoided the fall of his fence.

The LA Galaxy missed five of the 14 penalties that have been sanctioned in their favor this season.

The evils did not end there for the Angelenos, because only nine minutes after missing the penalty, the RSL opened the scoring and the Galaxy began to row against the current.

The Venezuelan Córdova made it 1-0, after 25 minutes, after a cross he connected with a header that left goalkeeper Jonathan Bond cold.

At the end of the first half, a dubious play ended up marking the bad luck of the LA Galaxy, as Chicharito was knocked down in the area, from which referee Kevin Stott decided that the Mexican striker had faked the trip and not only did not sanction the penalty, but on top of that he cautioned the player. The referee did not consult with the VAR.

For the second half, the Galaxy again came out determined to press for an equalizer, but at the same time risked being vulnerable defensively. RSL was still sticking to its plan and expecting more mistakes from the hosts.

At 67′, Chicharito was knocked down again in the area and again the referee called the foul on the Mexican striker, who remained on the pitch until he was attended to. The referee took the opportunity to review the play after angry protests from Galaxy players and fans who threw objects onto the field.

After confirming with the VAR, the referee changed his decision and signaled the penalty in favor of the Los Angeles team.

Costa took care of the cash to even things 1-1 and confirm his squad for a playoff spot.

Puig came very close to extending the scoring for the LA Galaxy with a powerful shot from far away.

https://twitter.com/LAGalaxy/status/1576426387803496449

The LA Galaxy wrap up the regular season on the road on Sunday, October 9, when they take on the Houston Dynamo at PNC Stadium (2 pm PT).

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