:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63251325/usa_today_12365879.0.jpg)
Without Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romain Alessandrini you would have expected the LA Galaxy to struggle offensively, but Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s squad possessed the ball with purpose and attacked intelligently as LA overwhelmed Minnesota United FC Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/15967125/D10vlvvU4AA_XKg.jpg)
Uriel Antuna was placed up top in place of Zlatan, but it mattered little. From the get go, LA were the sharper side, first to every ball and unbalancing the Loons with a combination of smooth possession and incisive attacking play. Soon the Galaxy were racking up the chances, and in the 34th minute Ozzie Alonzo brought down Antuna inside the box. Jona stepped up and calmly slotted the PK home.
Chris Pontius soon got on the tail end of a 25! pass sequence to double LA’s lead.
Textbook.
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) March 17, 2019
The 25 passes that led to @ChrisPontius13’s goal, with final assists from @EmaBoateng and Rolf Feltscher. pic.twitter.com/0h9Mbil0sk
After a first half clinic LA continued to pile on the pressure, Jan Gregus pulled one back for the Loons off a David Bingham howler, but it was Antuna once more who beat Francisco Calvo down the left flank before floating a chest length cross for a masked Sebastian Lletget to poke home.
A late Angelo Rodriguez tap in frayed nerves late, but the Galaxy held on the secure the 3-2 victory.