Less than five months after reaching the MLS apex, the Galaxy can’t find their way out of the morass.
The defending MLS Cup winners continued with their nightmare season, losing a 1-0 road game to Austin FC on Saturday to remain winless in nine league matches.
Brandon Vazquez converted the winning goal in the 81st minute to drop the Galaxy, who were coming off a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo last weekend, to 0-6-3 (three points).
Just 11 minutes earlier, Vazquez was stifled on a penalty kick after Galaxy defender John Nelson tripped Osman Bukari inside the box. Galaxy goalkeeper McCarthy dove left for the save to keep the game scoreless.
Vazquez soon redeemed himself, redirecting a feed from Owen Wolfe from the left past McCarthy for the deciding score.
McCarthy made five saves for the Galaxy, which had little time to take advantage of a one-man advantage after The Verde’s Brendan Hines-Ike was sent off with his second yellow card for poor sportsmanship with four minutes remaining.
Brad Stuver stopped four shots for his fifth shutout of the season for Austin FC (5-1-3, 16 points), which was coming off a 5-1 rout by Vancouver last week.
The Galaxy, whose only victory this season came March 12 as one of four CONCACAF Champions Cup games, will next play Portland at 6 p.m. April 27 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
