Body slammed: Sporting KC 2, LA Galaxy 0

After splitting points their last time out, and a visit to the second best team in the conference in Sporting KC, the LA Galaxy were looking to get back on track with a win. As the season winds down, and the playoff push heats up, the Galaxy need to maintain their killer instinct, and not settle for draws. The home side Sporting Kansas City had other plans, as they controlled the match, and coasted to a 0-2 victory over the visitors.

It’s been the story for most of the season with this team. There first half of this one was no different. Despite doing well to defend against a SKC side at full throttle, Galaxy offered no offensive threat, and let a momentary lapse do them in near the end of the half. Surgical passing led to the Sporting KC goal in the 40th minute, courtesy of Johnny Russell.

The second half was pretty much identical to the first half. Sporting did well to control the match, benefitted from multiple chances, while the Galaxy were on the back foot, trying to stay alive. Johnny Russell netted his brace as the match dwindled down, with another late half goal, this one in the 83rd minute.

The loss, while disappointing, still isn’t the end of the world. With Chicharito a late scratch and unable to travel with the team, the Galaxy were missing not only a goalscoring threat, but a player that elevates the energy, and recently, had come up big in matches like this one. At final whistle, the LA Galaxy remained in fifth place in the Western Conference, but dependent on how the other matches end, could finish the night as low as sixth.

Next up for the G’s are the Seattle Sounders, who’ve struggled as of late, but will be looking to re-capture their spot at the top of the conference. With only two matches left, Galaxy will need to get back into the win column, to secure their spot in the postseason. Luckily for them, they still control their destiny.