CARSON — Last week, the Galaxy showed resiliency in rallying from a two-goal deficit to earn a point in a draw with Nashville SC.
Saturday, the Galaxy (1-0-3, six points) experienced another round of highs and lows, but again had to dig deep for what can probably be described as a frustrating 3-3 draw against St. Louis City SC in front of a sellout crowd of 25,174 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The Galaxy took a 2-1 lead in the 51st minute on Joseph Paintsil’s goal.
Nearly 10 minutes later, St. Louis scored the equalizer on an bicycle kick from Joakim Nilsson and in the 88th minute, a St. Louis corner kick found its way into the after Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy had a defender run into his path. The goal went down as an own goal, giving St. Louis a 3-2 lead, but they wouldn’t hold it.
Halfway through the eight minutes of stoppage time, the Galaxy scored their own equalizer as Maya Yoshida headed in a free kick from Gaston Brugman to make it 3-3 to secure a point.
However, the wildness didn’t stop there. In the last minute of stoppage time, Sam Adeniran got free from Yoshida and headed toward goal. Galaxy defender Martin Caceres ran toward him and committed probably the clearest foul of the night. Caceres, who already had a yellow card, was issued a straight red.
When play restarted, the St. Louis free kick was secured by McCarthy and the referee Atahan Yaya signaled the end moments later.
The night started off well for the Galaxy, but things would turn wild in a matter of moments.
Dejan Joveljic broke open the scoring in the third minute, putting the finishing touches on a the epitome of a team-goal. Building out of the back, the Galaxy put together a string of passes, ending with Julian Aude finding an open Joveljic, who beat St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Buerki for a 1-0 lead.
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The goal was the fourth in the first four games for Joveljic. He scored six all of last season.
Inside the first 20 minutes, was where the Galaxy will look back and wish they had the chances back. After Joveljic’s goal, the next chance came on a Diego Fagundez close one-time shot just outside the six-yard box that Buerki slapped away with one hand. Burki was credited with six saves, but it seemed like everyone was the perfect chance for the Galaxy to breakthrough.
Then came one of the weirdest sequences you might ever see. Riqui Puig’s shot on goal hit the crossbar and the rebound came off for Joveljic and his header also hit the crossbar.
Later in the half, St. Louis had found their footing and Tomas Ostrak scored the equalizer to make 1-1 in the 27th minute.
The Galaxy will return to action Saturday on the road against Sporting Kansas City.
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