Toronto FC was able to defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 with a second half header from Drew Moor on Saturday at BMO Field in Ontario, Canada.
The breakthrough for the home side
The Reds were knocking on the door in the second half. However, LA goalkeeper Brian Rowe was doing his part as he stopped four of TFC's five shots that were on target.
The play started with Benoit Cheyrou sending a long-range ball into the center of the penalty box. Eriq Zavaleta was able to beat the Galaxy's Jelle Van Damme to the ball.
Zavaleta jumped and managed to flick the ball to a wide open Moor. The veteran center back dove and headed the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.
Even though there was still plenty of time for the Galaxy to muster an equalizing goal in the match that never seemed like a reality. So Moor's header went on to be the game-winning goal.
The Galaxy was rusty
For LA and TFC this match marked their first game back from the break Major League Soccer (MLS) took for the Copa America Centenario. However, the Reds looked as if they had not taken a break. Their attack was moving quickly and with ease around the slow LA defense.
Toronto's Sebastian Giovinco, Jonathan Osorio, Benoit Cheyrou and Tsubasa Endoh were giving LA all they could handle in the first half. If it was not for Rowe the Canadian club easily might have enjoyed a two to three goal victory against Los Angeles.
TFC offense was able to create 14 shots in the game. As for the Galaxy they struggled to get off 10 shots in the match. LA's accuracy was off in the match as they only managed to place two of their shots on target.
The LA Galaxy did not start showing any real offensive threat or energy until their subs came in. Emmanuel Boateng, Dave Romney, and Jose Villarreal might not have scored but their pace brought life to the slow Galaxy attack.
LA waste their chances
The Galaxy's best chances in the game came from Sebastian Lletget in the first half. In the 19th minute, he was able to go on a breakaway. The former U.S. youth international was making a hard run towards the right-hand side of the box with the ball.
Reds goalkeeper Clinton Irwin came out and closed down Lletget's angle. The 23-year-old attacker still managed to fire off a shot. However, Lletget's shot sailed safely out of bounds for a goal kick.
A few minutes later he nearly put the Galaxy ahead with a long-range effort. The San Francisco native was able to control Jeff Larentowicz's pass at the top of the box.
He eluded the defender by cutting the ball to his left and then instantly fired a low hard shot to the bottom right-hand corner. His strike seemed destined to hit the back of the net, but Irwin was there to make the save and keep LA off the scoreboard.
Where they stand and who they face next
This result has placed LA in fifth place with 21 points. It was clear that the Galaxy missed Giovani Dos Santos, Steven Gerrard, and even Ariel Lassiter's pace in the game. All three players missed the match due to injuries.
However, even with this defeat, the Galaxy is still within striking distance of third place Real Salt Lake. RSL is sitting in third with 24 points and a goal differential of +2. A victory in their next match against the first place Colorado Rapids on Wednesday at the StubHub Center will put them back in the top three of the Western Conference.
As for TFC, this result moved them back up to the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. Toronto is now in fifth place with 19 points and they have leveled their goal differential. However, TFC can climb even higher in the standings with a victory in their next match.
Only two points separate second place New York City FC from the Reds. Toronto head coach Greg Vanney will have to get his team refocused since they will be hitting the road for their next game. TFC will be heading to Florida to take on Orlando City SC on Saturday at the Camping World Stadium.