July 7, 2024; Carson, California, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) heads the ball over Minnesota United midfielder Hassani Dotson (31) in the first half at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports Gabriel Pec scored in the 90th minute to complete his first career MLS brace and give the LA Galaxy a 2-1 victory over Minnesota United on Sunday night.
Pec’s eighth and ninth goals helped the Galaxy (12-4-7, 43 points) rebound from a 2-1 loss to LAFC on Thursday night and tie LAFC and Real Salt Lake for points atop the Western Conference.
Ruqui Puig provided the secondary assist on both goals, taking his total to a team-best 10.
Substitute Teemu Pukki brought Minnesota (8-9-5, 29 points) back to a tie in the second half in his return from a knee injury and his first appearance since June 1.
But the Loons saw their losing streak extend to six games and now find themselves 10th in the Western Conference and out of potential MLS Cup playoff contention.
Puig started the play by spreading a pass to the right for substitute Mauricio Cuevas, whose first touch actually had the advantage of eluding a Minnesota defender.
With his second goal, Cuevas powered the ball across the box for Pec to score with a single shot from close range.
Pec’s opener in the 25th minute was a more expansive version of the same goal, with Puig sending a ball from the centre of the park to Miki Yamane on the right flank.
Yamane responded with a low cross into the path of Pec, who dove low and hit goalkeeper Alec Smir.
Minnesota thought they had equalised just six minutes later after a quick counter-attack but Bongi Hlongwane was ruled offside following a video review.
Pukki brought Minnesota back into the tie in the 73rd minute when he had time and space after receiving a pass at the attacking end of the centre circle.
The veteran dribbled through the middle to the penalty arc before a defender closed in, then curled a well-placed shot into the bottom left corner beyond the diving John McCarthy.
Minnesota’s Franco Fragapane had a great chance late in the game to give the visitors the lead after an LA turnover, but McCarthy responded excellently with a low dive to his left in the 85th minute.
–Field level media
