LA Galaxy wrap preseason with 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake

The LA Galaxy finished their trip to Tucson, Arizona with a final preseason game and a victory on Saturday, beating Real Salt Lake 1-0.

The first half looked strong for LA, while the second was more shaggy as the players are still working on their fitness and collective chemistry. But with something approaching a top lineup, this was their last chance to face another team before the games count.

Greg Vanney played a very strong lineup, likely something pretty close to what the Galaxy will use in the season opener next Sunday.

RSL had a pretty strong XI as well.

LA nearly scored off a corner kick in the first few minutes, but the header at the back post looped just wide.

They got another good look just after the quarter-hour mark, with Adam Saldaña surging through midfield and setting up Sebastian Lletget, whose shot was blocked.

Cameron Dunbar replaced Samuel Grandsir in the 25th minute, the French winger likely on a minutes restriction for this game while he works up to speed.

RSL nearly got the opener in the 36th minute, Justin Meram’s shot over the top blocked by Jonathan Bond, before Oneil Fisher blocked the subsequent attempt off the rebound, Fisher possibly handling the ball on his block, but no call given on the play.

Fisher, likely also on a minutes restriction, came off three minutes later for Julian Araujo at right back.

Victor Vazquez opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, the Spaniard cleaning up a rebound off Chicharito’s deflected attempt to beat RSL’s David Ochoa in goal.

RSL looked sharper to start the 2nd half, and Demir Kreilach nearly scored in the 56th minute, but Bond got to the shot in time to keep the opponent off the board.

The 2nd half in general was pretty out of rhythm. LA made a series of subs: Efrain Alvarez for Vazquez (62nd minute), Carlos Harvey for Jonathan dos Santos (67th minute), Jalen Neal for Daniel Steres (74th minute) and Jonathan Perez for Lletget (77th minute). Daniel Aguirre replaced Saldaña in the 86th minute, and Chicharito came out in the 89th minute, for Ethan Zubak.

The Galaxy return home and will gear up for their season opener, a week from Sunday at Inter Miami. I think there are signs of promise from this performance, some questions, for sure, but this is what we’re getting ahead of the regular season. Bring it on, am I right?

What do you think? Leave a comment below.