Recap: LA Galaxy 2, FC Dallas 2

Ian Nicholas Quillen

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez converted a penalty kick for his 14th goal of the season before Sebastian Lletget smashed home an important equalizer, helping the LA Galaxy rally to salvage a 2-2 home draw against FC Dallas on Saturday night.

Chicharito also had an apparent goal disallowed for offside between those second-half tallies, while the Galaxy moved even on points with the fourth-place Portland Timbers.

Portland hold the first tiebreaker with one more win in the Western Conference standings, with the top four finishers guaranteed a home game in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.

The Galaxy extended their unbeaten run to four matches, but face a difficult run-in through Decision Day with tests against Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United FC.

Franco Jara scored after assisting Jesus Ferreira's opening goal for Dallas, which was fully deserving of the 2-0 halftime lead after playing unlike a team already eliminated from postseason contention.

Ferreira was also the unfortunate player who committed the handball offense leading to Chicharito's spot-kick, a moment that shifted momentum in the Galaxy's favor and doomed the visitors to a ninth match without victory.

Goals

30' - DAL - Jesus Ferreira | WATCH
41' - DAL - Franco Jara | WATCH
65' - LA - Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez (PK) | WATCH
83' - LA - Sebastian Lletget | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: Even with the fightback, this may still feel like two points lost for the Galaxy given their upcoming schedule. LA have won only one of their five previous games against their upcoming opponents this season. Meanwhile, Dallas have now seen their latest winless run extended while giving back multi-goal leads in consecutive games against opposition from Los Angeles.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Halftime substitutes Lletget and Samuel Grandsir connected on an excellent goal to make sure the Galaxy did not go home completely empty-handed after a frustrating evening. The volley marked just Lletget's second goal, with Grandsir picking up his fifth assist for serving in a sumptuous cross from the right.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Sebastian Lletget. This whole game was rough around the edges, making it hard to select one player who really stood out. But the Galaxy were clearly better in possession and attack after Lletget's insertion at halftime, and his finish was a special one.

Sebastian Lletget on tonight’s game/first half: “It was a lack of intensity. There’s no excuse at this point because we’re playing for so much. We take pride in how we play and how we want to play, but you can’t come out there without having that fight first.”
— Delmy Barillas (@DelmyBarillas) October 24, 2021