CARSON — The Galaxy were home Sunday, but it didn’t feel or sound like it against Cruz Azul.
The sellout crowd of 24,285 at Dignity Health Sports Park was mostly full of Cruz Azul supporters, giving the night a road game feel for the Galaxy.
On the field, the game teetered on the brink of a brawl, especially in the second half, but the Galaxy fought and clawed their way to a 1-1 regulation draw to earn one point. The game then proceeded to penalty kicks with an additional point at stake.
Both teams hit their first five kicks in the shootout, sending it into a sudden-death period. In the eighth round of kicks, Edwin Cerrillo had his attempt saved, but Cruz Azul’s Jesus Orozco gave the Galaxy another life as he hit the cross bar.
However, in the ninth round, after Galaxy defender Emiro Garces missed his attempt, Cruz Azul’s Mateo Levy finally clinched the winner (8-7).
The shootout loss leaves the Galaxy on four points with one game left.
The Galaxy scored the equalizer in the 81st minute on Gabriel Pec’s goal. Pec, making a central run, was able to get a foot on a perfect cross from Mauricio Cuevas for the finish. Cuevas had entered the game as a sub in the 66th minute, replacing Miki Yamane.
Cruz Azul, the winners of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, got hit for a touchdown in its Leagues Cup opener, falling to the Seattle Sounders 7-0 last Thursday. The best thing for Cruz Azul was their early lead Sunday in the 21st minute on Carlos Rodriguez’s goal.
The Galaxy managed only one shot in the first half, while Cruz Azul was credited with 11 shot attempts and four on goal.
The Galaxy made a tactical change to start the second half, bringing on forward Matheus Nascimento to replace midfielder Lucas Sanabria. Marco Reus moved back into his attacking midfield role, with Diego Fagundez dropping into a more defensive midfield position.
In the 61st minute, Cruz Azul nearly put the game away, but Mateusz Bogusz’s shot hit the post as he was falling toward the ground.
Joseph Paintsil, who was in a lot of the physical moments of the game, drawing fouls, nearly gave the Galaxy the equalizer in the 76th minute. Paintsil got by his defender in the 76th minute and got in on Cruz Azul goalkeeper Kevin Mier, but Mier used his body to block Paintsil’s shot.
In the 86th minute, Galaxy goalkeeper Novak Micovic made a game-saving save while he was falling down on a shot by Mateo Levy.
The Galaxy will conclude their opening round of games Thursday at home against Santos Laguna (8:15 p.m.). The game will be part of a doubleheader, following the Colorado Rapids taking on Cruz Azul (5:30 p.m.)
After the first two rounds of Phase One, the Seattle Sounders and Minnesota United are tied for first place on six points (two wins). The top four teams in both the MLS and Liga MX standings will advance to the quarterfinals later this month.
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