Galaxy fall short against Cincinnati, eliminated from postseason

CARSON, Calif. — The LA Galaxy were officially eliminated from MLS playoff contention Saturday night before their match against FC Cincinnati even began, a fate cemented by FC Dallas’ 3-1 victory over Colorado Rapids. 

The subsequent 3-2 loss by LA at Dignity Health Sports Park served as a frustrating microcosm of their season, featuring defensive lapses, missed opportunities, and a costly red card.

“I thought by and large, we played some pretty good stuff and but we get ourselves behind two goals, and that makes it difficult, Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said. “Then we lose a guy earlier in the second half. That makes it more difficult.”

The momentum shifted decisively against the Galaxy just before the break when Isaiah Parente received a yellow card after his cleat was tangled with Cincinnati’s Pavel Bucha’s cleat during a challenge.

That infraction proved critical when Parente was shown a second yellow card early in the second half, reducing LA to 10 men.

“It comes down to executing in the moments, and obviously it's difficult, more difficult when you go down a man,” Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said.“I still felt like even when down a man, the guys were just fighting and battling and doing the things that they needed to do to try to get themselves back into the game.”

The visitors struck first in the 10th minute. After Diego Fagundez was dispossessed in midfield, Cincinnati quickly played a ball through the heart of the Galaxy defense. Ender Echenique finished the chance, though goalkeeper Novak Micovic got a hand to the shot but could not keep it out.

The Galaxy responded with a sustained period of pressure. 

Joseph Paintsil found Gabriel Pec in space, but his shot hit the side netting. Minutes later, a Pec shot struck the post, and a Paintsil effort was saved as the home side failed to convert their chances.

Cincinnati punished that wastefulness in the 22nd minute, doubling their lead. The Galaxy were again split open through the middle, with Evander finding Brenner near the penalty spot for a clinical finish.

LA continued to create opportunities but found no reward until the 35th minute. Diego Fagundez, inching closer to the exclusive 80-goal, 80-assist club, delivered a cross that Paintsil headed home to cut the deficit to 2-1. 

The assist marked Fagundez’ 78th assist and he has 77 goals.

“Big respect to Diego for his great performance today, giving me the assist,” Paintsil said. “see, he's also someone who is really important in the club. I really respect him a lot.”

The game’s turning point came in the 56th minute when Paintsil appeared to be taken down on a breakaway, but no foul was called Vanney was visibly furious on the sideline.

Micovic kept his team in the game with a point-blank save on Evander, but the Galaxy’s attack began to show frustration. In the 70th minute, Pec chose to shoot from a tight angle despite a wide-open Fagundez yelling for the ball at the top of the box.

Cincinnati finally put the game out of reach in the 88th minute through a second goal from Brenner. 

After scoring the opening goal, Paintsil also assisted the stoppage-time goal from Mauricio Cuevas brought the score to 3-2, but it was too little, too late for the shorthanded Galaxy.

“I was about to take the shot. I was about to take the shot when Mauri shouted and just told me to give the ball. Normally, I would have shot, but I have no other option,” Paintsil said. “I just turned and just put the ball there. I didn't even know he was there. I just put it down and fortunately, he was there.”

The loss encapsulates a difficult season for the Galaxy, who demonstrated fight but were ultimately undone by a combination of defensive vulnerabilities, missed chances, and adverse in-game moments.

Next, the Galaxy will host Sporting KC and former striker Dejan Joveljic on Sept. 27 at Dignity Health Sports Park at 7:30 p.m.