LA Galaxy clinch 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs berth with 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake
The LA Galaxy clinched a berth in the 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs following a come-from-behind 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake in front of a sell-out crowd of 26,674 fans at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday night.
2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Clinched
Following the draw against Real Salt Lake, the LA Galaxy (13-12-8, 47 points) moved up to fourth place in the Western Conference standings, three points behind third-place FC Dallas (13-9-11, 50 points). The Galaxy have qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the 20th time in the club’s 27 years in MLS. Since the start of the 2009 season, the Galaxy have hosted 18 playoff matches in Carson, including MLS Cup 2011, 2012 and 2014. In those 18 home playoff matches at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy are 15-2-1, while holding a 45-23-7 record in 75 all-time playoff matches.
LA Galaxy Run Of Form
In their last 10 matches played dating back to Aug. 13, the LA Galaxy hold a record of 4-1-5, outscoring the opposition 23-18 during that span. Since Aug. 13, the Galaxy’s 4-1-5 record (17 points) ranks as the best in the Western Conference and ranks third in the league behind only the Philadelphia Union (6-2-1, 19 points) and CF Montreal (7-1-1, 22 points). In the Galaxy’s last six matches played at home dating back to July 24, LA held an unbeaten record of 3-0-3.
LA Galaxy Against Real Salt Lake
Saturday’s match marked the 45th all-time meeting across all competitions between the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake, with LA leading the all-time series 23-19-13. Against RSL, the Galaxy hold a 19-17-11 record in league play, a 4-1-2 record in the MLS Cup Playoffs and a 0-1-10 record Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Galaxy are unbeaten in their last six matches played at home (4-0-2) against Real Salt Lake, dating back to Sept. 30, 2017.
Goal-Scoring Plays
RSL – Sergio Cordova (Aaron Herrera, Andrew Brody), 25th minute: Aaron Herrera’s cross from the right side of the penalty area found Sergio Cordova, who converted his header from close range.
LA – Douglas Costa (Penalty Kick), 68th minute: After Chicharito was fouled inside the box, Douglas Costa’s ensuing penalty-kick attempt was smashed into the top right corner.
Postgame Notes
Following the draw against Real Salt Lake, the LA Galaxy (13-12-8, 47 points) moved up to fourth place in the Western Conference standings, one point behind third-place FC Dallas (13-9-11, 50 points) and qualified for the 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
The playoff berth marked the Galaxy’s 20th playoff berth in the 27 years of the club’s history.
Saturday’s match marked the 45th all-time meeting across all competitions between the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake, with LA leading the all-time series 23-19-13. Against RSL, the Galaxy hold a 19-17-11 record in league play, a 4-1-2 record in the MLS Cup Playoffs and a 0-1-10 record Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The Galaxy are unbeaten in their last six matches played at home (4-0-2) against Real Salt Lake, dating back to Sept. 30, 2017.
In 17 games played at home in league play this season, the Galaxy held a 8-5-4 record and averaged 22,841 fans per game at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Across all competitions at Dignity Health Sports Park during the 2022 campaign, LA held a 10-6-4 record.
In their last 10 matches played dating back to Aug. 13, the Galaxy hold a record of 4-1-5, outscoring the opposition 23-18 during that span.
Douglas Costa notched his fourth goal of the 2022 campaign.
Riqui Puig finished the match with a game-high 10 duels won, five dribbles completed, three chances created and four interceptions.
Julián Araujo appeared in his 99th MLS regular-season appearance for the LA Galaxy, a team-high eight possessions won.
Jonathan Bond finished the match with four saves.
Martín Cáceres ended the match with 82 completed passes (100% pass accuracy).