LA Galaxy draw Minnesota United 2-2

The LA Galaxy defense was culpable Saturday night at the StubHub Center as LA blew multiple leads in a morale-sapping 2-2 draw to the Loons.

After Romain Alessandrini sliced a half-volley from close range agonizingly wide of the upper 90, the French attacker continued his fine run of form with a solo effort, executing a textbook give and go with Zlatan outside the area before blasting a low cannon from 25 yards out that snuck inside Bobby Shuttleworth’s goal post.

With five goals and four assists the past six games, it was a shame to see an emotional Alessandrini exit the match in the 24th minute with what has been reported as a right leg injury. Sigi Schmid’s side peppered the Minnesota goal but could not build on their one-goal advantage.

The second half was a different story. After Sebastian Lletget replaced Giovani dos Santos who pulled up with an injury of his own, LA never fully regained their momentum, and in the 64th minute Michael Boxall equalized for the Loons, beating MIchael Ciani to nod a near post header over the stranded David Bingham.

The Galaxy thought they had escaped embarrassment when Sebastian Lletget restored the lead in the 73rd minute but once again Minnesota came storming back with Romario Ibarra’s late far post run eluding an asleep back four and the Loons tied the match at 2-2.

Zlatan thought he had a penalty kick shout late but referee Baldomero Toledo failed to spot the foul as the crowd groaned in agony.