Riqui Puig’s second-half goal leads the Galaxy to win over Houston
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig recovers the ball against the Houston Dynamo FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Gabriel Pec, left, brings the ball up the pitch chased by Houston Dynamo FC midfielder Latif Blessing (15) during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Gabriel Pec, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Houston Dynamo FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig (10) heads the ball against the Houston Dynamo FC during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy defender Maya Yoshida (4) heads the ball against the Houston Dynamo FC during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, not pictured, scores a goal past Houston Dynamo FC goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell (13) during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, right, celebrates with teammate midfielder Diego Fagundez, center, after Puig scores a goal against the Houston Dynamo FC during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, center, kicks the ball for a goal against the Houston Dynamo FC during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado (8) vies for the ball with Houston Dynamo FC midfielder Latif Blessing (15) and defender Daniel Steres (5) during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Diego Fagundez, right, dribbles the ball against the Houston Dynamo FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Gabriel Pec, left, kicks the ball for a goal against the Houston Dynamo FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
A soccer fan, right, takes a picture with the LA Galaxy mascot Cozmo during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy kicks the ball against the Houston Dynamo FC during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig (10) moves the ball shadowed by Houston Dynamo FC defender Micael (31) during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado, back, recovers the ball against the Houston Dynamo FC during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney reacts during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig (10) brings the ball up the pitch against the Houston Dynamo FC during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Gabriel Pec , right, kicks the ball against the Houston Dynamo FC during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado (8) moves the past Houston Dynamo FC defender Daniel Steres (5) during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, May 25, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
CARSON — The Galaxy haven’t been home much this season, having to fight and claw for points in nine of the first 14 games on the road.
Saturday, the Galaxy (6-2-7, 25 points) returned home from a road trip to Minnesota and Charlotte, and reintroduced themselves to their home supporters with a 2-1 win in front of 21,707 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
“It was a huge three points,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “It’s felt like we been on a road a lot and when you’re starting this stretch, four of the next five at home, you want to take the first, no matter what.”
The Galaxy recently ended a three-game in eight-day stretch with three points, all draws, adding significance to the upcoming stretch of games that will see them play four of their next five at home.
Riqui Puig broke the 1-1 tie with a perfectly placed right-footed shot into the lower corner. The sequence broke open thanks to Gaston Brugman long central run before feeding Pec on the left, who set up Puig.
The Galaxy then settled into a defensive mode, trying to grind out the win. In the 83rd minute, Galaxy coach Greg Vanney subbed off two attackers (Dejan Joveljic and Diego Fagundez) for defensive-minded midfielder Daniel Aguirre and Edwin Cerrillo to see the game out.
Even then, it wasn’t all easy to see the game out. A near colossal mistake nearly happened in the 86th minute. Martin Caceres back pass toward goalkeeper John McCarthy was nearly intercepted by a Houston attacker, but McCarthy was able to clear it out
It took the Galaxy some time, but they eventually found their footing in the first half. Playing a second consecutive game with winger Joseph Paintsil, the Galaxy struggled early building down the right, an area which Paintsil usually dominated in.
Trailing 1-0, Gabriel Pec, the Galaxy’s other newest Designated Player, scored the equalizer. Miki Yamane created the scoring opportunity, on the right, pulling the ball back from the end line and crossing toward the center where Pec was there with an acrobatic header.
“I thought we struggled in the first half and that sets the tempo for the rest of the game,” Vanney said. “We couldn’t get pressure on the ball, we couldn’t win the ball and we were starting our attacks in bad places and I thought we just behind everything.”
Houston opened the scoring the first half as McCarthy’s errant pass was intercepted by Latif Blessing, who scored, before McCarthy was able to regroup and get back on his line.
The Galaxy have a short turnaround with a midweek game Wednesday home against FC Dallas, followed by a Saturday road game on the road against the Chicago Fire.
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