Galaxy’s offensive struggles continue in loss to Real Salt Lake

SANDY, Utah -- The LA Galaxy's attacking woes reached a concerning point Saturday in a 2-0 defeat to Real Salt Lake.

The Galaxy failed to to register a shot on target while extending their winless streak to seven to open the MLS season.

“We had still a lot of attacks that looked like they can be promising… then it becomes an uphill battle when you're at altitude, down two goals,” Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said after the loss.

The performance highlighted the Galaxy's (0-5-2) ongoing offensive struggles as they head into a critical 2nd leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals against Club Tigres Tuesday

Due to the importance of Tuesday’s encounter, paired with some injuries suffered by Maya Yoshida and Gabriel Pec in the first leg of action, Vanney had to make some rotations to the lineup Saturday. 

“There's priorities, and given where we are health-wise and everything else, we just have to try to manage through some of these moments.”

Diego Luna's first-half brace proved to be decisive, with the 20-year-old American scoring in the 21st and 26th minutes at America First Field. 

Luna first struck by finishing an Alexandros Katranis cross, then doubled RSL's lead by pouncing on a loose ball in the box. The young midfielder's breakout game came with U.S. Men's National Team assistant coach Mike D'Agostino in attendance, while Galaxy youngster Ruben Ramos Jr. - fresh off U-20 national team duty - failed to make an impact in his first MLS start.

Diego Fagundez, who wore the captain’s armband in Yoshida’s absence Saturday, pointed to the Galaxy’s defensive posture when asked about the goals conceded.

“I think the field didn't help us out. But once again, we go back to the same thing. We shoot ourselves in the foot on some of those plays and we get punished. It's one of those things that is frustrating but now it's a quick turnaround. I think it's time to put this game behind and focus on Tuesday.”

Isaiah Parente went down with a shoulder injury in the second half, further hindering an already depleted Galaxy midfield.

The result extends a concerning trend for the defending MLS Cup champions, who have yet to win a match in MLS play in 2025. 

With just 72 hours to regroup, the Galaxy now face a quick turnaround before traveling south of the border to Monterrey for Tuesday's 6 p.m. Concacaf Champions Cup second leg against Tigres at Estadio Universitario.