Galaxy Opportunities all for Knot

Romain Alessandrini scored first for the Galaxy. (Photo by Duane Barker.)

By Tim Peterson

(Carson) – Romario Ibarra scored in the 84th minute for Minnesota United FC to erase the Galaxy lead and forge a 2-2 tie with LA Saturday night at StubHub Center. 

The Galaxy had already let a 1-0 lead slip away but seemed to be in control when Sebastian Lletget dribbled through a couple of defenders and shot one into the left corner of the net in the 73rd minute for a 2-1 lead. The goal was the second of the year for Lletget and his first since March 31st against LAFC.

But Ibarra got out on the wing on a break, took a nice dish on the left side and rammed one by LA goalkeeper David Bingham to even it up.

Minnesota’s Francisco Calvo was hit with a red card five minutes later when he got tied up with Ola Kamara. He received a yellow and then was hit with the red when he threw the ball up in the air forcing him out of the game. The Galaxy couldn’t take advantage of the man advantage however despite five minutes added for stoppage time.

Romain Alessandrini got LA on the board first as he took a perfect feed from Zlatan Ibrahimovich and beat Minnesota United keeper Bobby Shuttleworth in the fifth minute for a 1-0 lead.

Sebastian Lletget celebrates his goal with Dave Romney. (Photo by Duane Barker.)

Alessandrini left the match in the 24th minute with a right leg injury and was replaced by Chris Pontius.

In the 26th minute Angelo Rodriguez had a run at the goal but was denied by Bingham. The Galaxy had opportunities to go up by two in the first half but couldn’t finish off goals. Giovani dos Santos fired one just wide right in the 32nd minute. In the 35th minute Ibrahimovic had a free kick but it sailed way wide right and into the stands.

Ashley Cole was stopped directly in front of the net by Shuttleworth at the end of time in the first half. Three minutes of extra time were added and Pontius and Ibrahimovic both had chances but were thwarted.

In the 54th minute Minnesota United was buzzing in front of the net and almost scored but an offsides penalty was eventually called. The visitors tied it at one in the 64th when Michael Boxall nodded one in on a header off a cross from Darwin Quintero.

Lletget gave the Galaxy the lead in the 73rd. Seven minutes later Ibrahimovic came a crossbar away from a 3-1 LA lead as he struck it on a free kick.

The Galaxy needed that insurance and it cost them in the 84th when Ibarra knotted it up at 2.

With the tie the Galaxy moved to 10-8-6 overall. Minnesota United FC is now 9-13-2.

Next up for LA is a home game with Colorado Tuesday night.

 

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