Real Salt Lake Falls As Galaxy Pick Up First Win Of Season

Published 1 month ago• 4 minute read

CARSON, Calif. – Real Salt Lake suffered a 2-0 defeat to the previously winless LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, extending their own winless streak to seven matches.

The Galaxy entered the match with a 0-5-12 record — a monumental falloff for the reigning league champions.

The last meeting between the Western Conference foes featured a Diego Luna brace in a 2-0 RSL win. But that spark couldn’t be rekindled, as Real’s recent struggles proved to be the biggest obstacle in Southern California.

RSL will now have two weeks off before they face D.C. United at America First Field on June 14.

Final #LAvRSL | @SelectHealth pic.twitter.com/zhBX5UMDX3

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 1, 2025

Real Salt Lake entered the match with two stats working against them: they were winless over the past month and hadn’t beaten the Galaxy in LA in their last eight tries.

With both clubs desperate for three points, the action understandably started early and often.”

RSL forward William Agada took the first attempt of the match and was promptly stuffed at the point. Zavier Gozo was up next. Looking to recreate his early game magic from the Vancouver match, he forced Galaxy goalkeeper Novak Micovic to make a save.

Off that chance, LA took off on a counterattack. Matheus Nascimento looked to sneak a shot into the bottom right corner but Rafael Cabral followed suit with a save of his own.

The string of scoring chances stopped there. But the pressure quickly resumed. In the 17th minute, 21-year-old Lucas Sanabria scored his first MLS goal to give the Galaxy a 1-0 lead.

Lucas Sanabria opens his MLS account and put the LA Galaxy up on Real Salt Lake 🇺🇾💥

📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/cMugO1cc1Y pic.twitter.com/GkcnTGfNIQ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2025

Gozo called his own number and was the next to threaten a score. He also looked to sneak a shot into the bottom corner, but Micovic was able to secure it.

Diego Luna, Dominik Marczuk, and Braian Ojeda all had shot attempts over the next ten minutes. Luna was blocked, Marczuk missed to the left, and Ojeda was blocked as well.

Gozo remained the most aggressive and most dangerous scoring threat for Real. Just before the 45th, he loaded up from outside the box and drilled the left post.

At the break, the Galaxy held a considerable lead in possession at 65%. That combined with a slight disadvantage in shots had RSL trailing 1-0 at the half.

down by one #LAvRSL | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/Cvi1WRgaDt

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 1, 2025

Although the second-half performance was improved in some areas, the result was ultimately the same.

RSL was smarter with the ball, and the time of possession eventually reflected that. Still, their lack of scoring ability and creativity in the final third was glaring.

Nelson Palacio looked for a 52nd-minute equalizer from outside the box, but Micovic made his fourth save in the center of the goal.

LA pushed down the pitch just minutes later, and Joseph Paintsil capped off the run to double the Galaxy’s lead.

Gabriel Pec ➕ Joseph Paintsil 🟰 ✨ LA Galaxy goal ✨

📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/cMugO1cc1Y pic.twitter.com/4IXJiqcZmQ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2025

As time continued to tick off the clock, it appeared that the Galaxy may snap two streaks instead of just one. On top of the anticipated first victory, LA hadn’t forced a shutout in 24 regular-season games.

From Paintsil’s score to the end of regulation, RSL was unable to put a shot on frame.

Gozo was subbed out in the 78th minute and hurled a water bottle into the grass on the sideline, capturing the club’s frustration.

Four minutes of stoppage time were added to the end of the match. Trailing by two goals, the extra time was basically just a formality.

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