LA Galaxy stun New York Red Bulls 3-1

We expected the Galaxy to play well after a spirited comeback vs. the Fire last week, but this was something else.

Bouyed by a first half Alessandrini brace and a reinvigorated Jelle Van Damme, the Galaxy won on the East Coast for the first time in four years, outcompeting a listless Red Bulls for a deserved 3-1 win at Red Bull Arena on Mother’s Day.

Considering LA has to endure a cross-county flight, the Galaxy were surprisingly fresh, eager to stamp their influence on the match. After a few close calls, it was no surprise in the 8th minute when Romain Alessandrini’s restart deep inside the Red Bulls’ half just evaded the perfect run of Jelle Van Damme and whistled past Luis Robles into the side netting.

And guess who scored again a minute later? With the Galaxy in transition once again, Giovani dos Santos coolly cut a dangerous ball back to the Frenchman, who wasted no time smashing a low shot that Robles got a hand on but couldn’t keep out of the net.

LA took the pedal off the gas a bit after the fast start, but the back four was more than up to the task. Late in the half Bradley Wright-Philips was inches away from tapping into an open net but the Galaxy held onto the two goal lead.

The Galaxy continued their solid play in the second half, frustrating a Red Bulls side on their way to their first home loss of the year. And when Alessandrini’s masterful day got even better after drawing a penalty on Mike Grella, dos Santos put away the PK to extend LA’s advantage.

Sadly Bradley Diallo was given a second yellow after a reckless late in the 90th minute, then LA gave up an injury time goal to Daniel Royer, but the Galaxy still came away with a monumental victory.