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LA Galaxy 2-2 Real Salt Lake Player Ratings – the summary of all the action in Southern California, where LA Galaxy couldn’t snap their four-game winless streak. Real Salt Lake head to Decision Day with home advantage still on the line.
Gregg Vanney gave the young Serbian goalkeeper Novak Mićović his MLS debut, but it was his compatriot Dejan Joveljić who stole the show. The 24-year-old was involved in both home goals in an impressive showing.
Real Salt Lake had won seven games on the road this season, but as mentioned in the preview they were heavily depleted with injuries, suspensions and international call ups.
It was an end-to-end game as the score suggests, but neither side were able to take maximum points in a terrific tussle at the Dignity Health Sports Park.
LA Galaxy 2-2 Real Salt LakePlayer Ratings
Contents
Match Timeline
7′ – (Goal) Dejan Joveljić fires home, his sixth of the season, after a low cross from Daniel Aguirre
18′ – Brody off the bar! The right back was free at inside the six yard box but couldn’t make it count
27′ – It is Palacio’s turn to miss a golden chance inside the box, firing over after a set piece
34′ – (Goal) Galaxy double their lead, Sharp drops deep to combine with Joveljić and Douglas Costa finishes
45′ – (Goal) Real Salt Lake pull one back, Galaxy make a mess of clearing ball out of box and Julio scores via a deflection from Cuevas
49′ – Wonderful save by MacMath from Sharp, set up by Joveljić again
54′ – Emeka Eneli receives first yellow card, for hacking down Aguirre
66′ – LA Galaxy’s Alfaro goes into the book for a strong challenge on Julio
75′ – Aguirre booked, a tired looking drag back on Eneli
76′ – (Goal) Diego Luna with a moment of class in the box to shift ball and equalise
83′ – A piece of history as 15 year old Axel Kei comes on for the visitors, fourth youngest player in MLS
Star Man – Dejan Joveljić – 8/10
The 24-year-old Serb was on supreme form as he stuck close to Sharp to create a constant danger in and around the penalty area.
The Chess Master was clinical inside ten minutes, tapping in a shot from inside the area to give Galaxy a great start. He turned provider for Douglas Costa, a brilliant first-time pass to set up the Brazilian to double the lead.
In the second half he remained active, linking up play brilliantly especially with Costa and Sharp. In total the former Eintracht Frankfurt man had three key passes and two shots on target.
Aguirre ➡️ Joveljić
The Chess Master makes the first move 👀 pic.twitter.com/VlS19i8sde
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) October 15, 2023
LA Galaxy Player Ratings
Novak Mićović 6/10 – debutant couldn’t do anything about first goal but maybe on second
Mauricio Cuevas 6/10 – Generally solid on ball, but lost battle with Chang in 2nd half
Maya Yoshida 7/10 – captain strong in air, but unable to organise side
Tony Alfaro 6.5/10 – worked hard all night
Julián Aude 6/10 – Positioning allowed Brody too much space early on
Edwin Cerrillo 7/10 – tidy performance in middle
Daniel Aguirre 7/10 – An assist in strong showing
Douglas Costa 7.5/10 – Got better as game went on, finding spaces and pulling strings
Tyler Boyd 7.5/10 – Great ball carrying to help team advance
Billy Sharp 6/10 – Slightly off the pace, could have had a goal on another night
Dejan Joveljić 8/10 – Goal and assist in a starring role, best player on the pitch
Substitutes
Raheem Edwards N/A
Jonathan Pérez N/A
Diego Fagundez N/A
Real Salt Lake Player Ratings
Zak MacMath 7/10 – Made important saves early in 2nd half to keep them in it
Andrew Brody 6.5/10 – Missed a golden chance, gave Boyd space in behind
Marcelo Silva 7/10 – plenty of action for Uruguayan
Brayan Vera 6/10 – Colombian complicated by Joveljić’s movement
Bryan Oviedo 7/10 – Best of the backline, won all his duels
Diego Luna 7.5/10 – looked better when occupying central role, great goal
Nelson Palacio 6.5/10 – Close to scoring, good on ball
Emeka Eneli – 7/10 – kept possession well
Maikel Chang 6.5/10 – Switched sides second half and had bigger impact
Anderson Julio 7/10 – Got his goal, hard to shake off the ball
Damir Kreilach 6.5/10 – Honest effort from veteran
Substitutes
Bode Hidalgo 6.5/10 – shored things up at back
Carlos Gómez 6.5/10 – pushed side higher up pitch
Japser Loffelsend N/A
Axel Kei N/A
Zavier Gozo N/A
LA Galaxy 2-2 Real Salt Lake Player Ratings: The final word
For the eighth game running we see an LA Galaxy game go over 2.5 goals as they continue to entertain, but are vulnerable at the back. Real Salt Lake showed why they are in the playoffs, performing well despite missing many players.
Both teams will be happy with some strong individual efforts, and look to end the regular season on a high next week.
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