The Los Angeles Galaxy won their second straight match, defeating Austin FC 2-0 at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Sebastien Lletget opened the scoring in the 35th minute and Javier Hernandez doubled the lead in the 77th minute as the Galaxy won for the fourth time in five matches.

Story of the match

Los Angeles had control of the play early on and they were awarded a penalty when Jhohan Romana fouled Chicharito (Hernandez) after he chased down a through ball. Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver drove to his left to save the spot kick.

The hosts would soon find the opener ten minutes from halftime as Daniel Steres played a long ball over the top of the Verde & Black defense. Hector Jimenez failed to clear the danger and the ball fell to Lletget, who slotted past Stuver into the bottom corner.

It was 2-0 deep into the second half as right back Julian Araujo sent in a cross that Hernandez powered past Stuver to double the hosts' advantage. He then turned provider as he thought he had set up Kevin Cabral for Los Angeles' third, but the Frenchman, on his debut, was ruled offsides.

Despite that, the Galaxy trail only Seattle in the Western Conference standings while Austin lost their second consecutive match after winning two in a row before that.

Man of the Match: Chicharito

It really can't be anyone else as he scored his league-leading seventh goal and nearly assisted on Cabral's strike if not for offsides. You can use any superlative you want about him. They all apply. 

Takeaways

Vanney continuing to make an impact

In his first year with the club, the manager has switched around tactics and come up with new ideas that have seen better service up front, the return to form of Chicharito and shoring up a leaky defense. If the Galaxy continue to play like this, they'll mainly have their manager to thank.

Goal drought for Austin

As with any expansion team, there will be struggles and the Verde and Black are searching for goals at the moment, having only scored four all season, three coming in one game. As coach Josh Wolff continues to grow and develop this side, finding a reliable source of offense would be a good place to start.

VAVEL Logo
About the author