LA Galaxy Earn 3-1 Win on the Road over Houston Dynamo FC

Ahead of the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs, the LA Galaxy clinched the fourth seed in the Western Conference following a 3-1 win on the road over Houston Dynamo FC at PNC Stadium in the 2022 MLS Regular Season finale on Sunday evening. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández tallied his team-leading 18th goal of the season, while Riqui Puig and Dejan Joveljić both found the back of the net in the Galaxy’s first win on Decision Day dating back to Oct. 28, 2012.

2022 MLS Cup Playoffs
Following the win over Houston, the LA Galaxy (14-12-8, 50 points) secured the fourth seed and a First Round match against Nashville SC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, Oct. 15 (12:00 p.m. PT; UniMás and TUDN). 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 In Form At The Right Time
The Galaxy have lost only once in their last 11 matches played dating back to Aug. 13, holding a record of 5-1-and outscoring the opposition 26-19 during that span. Since Aug. 13, the Galaxy’s 5-1-5 record (20 points) ranks as the best in the Western Conference and ranks third in the league behind only CF Montreal (8-1-1, 24 points) and the Philadelphia Union (7-2-1, 22 points. In the Galaxy’s last six matches played on the road dating back to Aug. 28, LA holds a 3-1-2 record.

LA Galaxy’s 2022 MLS Regular-Season Recap
Chicharito led the team and finished the season ranked tied for fourth in MLS with 18 goals scored in 32 games played (31 starts) for the Galaxy in league play. Julián Araujo ranked second in the league amongst all defenders and led the Galaxy with nine assists in 33 appearances (30 starts) this season. Joveljić led the league with eight goals scored and 10 goal contributions ( 8 goals, 2 assists) as a substitute this year. As a team, the Galaxy finished the season with the sixth-most goals scored (58) during the 2022 MLS Regular Season.

Goal-Scoring Plays
HOU – Sebastian Ferreira (Corey Baird), 8th minute: Corey Baird’s cross into the box found Sebastian Ferreira, who headed the ball into the far corner of the net.

LA – Riqui Puig (Samuel Grandsir, Douglas Costa), 31st minute: Douglas Costa quickly played the ball wide to Samuel Grandsir on the left side of the penalty area. Grandsir’s centering pass in the middle of the box found Riqui Puig, who blasted his shot into the roof of the net.

LA – Chicharito (Gastón Brugman), 32nd minute: In transition, Gastón Brugman slipped a pass behind the Houston defense to Chicharito, whose outside-the-foot shot from inside the penalty area was converted at the far net.

LA – Dejan Joveljić (Efraín Álvarez), 69th minute: Efraín Álvarez’s pass in behind the Houston backline found Dejan Joveljić, who rifled his shot just inside the far post.

Postgame Notes

  • Following the win over Houston, the LA Galaxy (14-12-8, 50 points) secured the fourth seed and a First Round match against Nashville SC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, Oct. 15 (12:00 p.m. PT, UniMás and TUDN). The playoff berth marked the Galaxy’s 20th playoff berth in the 27 years of the club’s history.

  • Sunday’s Decision Day match marked the 40th all-time meeting across all competitions between the LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo FC, with LA leading the series 17-13-10. Against Houston, the Galaxy hold a 13-13-10 record in league play, a 1-0-0 record in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and a 3-0-0 record in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.

  • In 27 all-time regular-season finales played, the LA Galaxy improved to 11-11-5 record.

  • The victory over Houston marked the Galaxy’s first win in an MLS Regular-Season finale dating back to a 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC at home on Oct. 28, 2012.

  • LA improved to 7-7-4 record in 18 road matches played across all competitions during the 2022 campaign.

  • In the Galaxy’s last six matches played on the road dating back to Aug. 28, LA holds a 3-1-2 record.

  • The Galaxy improved to 2-11-3 this season when the opponent scores the first goal of the match.

  • LA improved to 10-0-3 when leading at halftime in league play this season.

  • Notably, Chicharito ranked tied for second in the league in scored on the road (9) behind only the San Jose Earthquake’s Jeremy Ebobisse (11) during the 2022 campaign.

  • Chicharito’s 15 goals scored from open play finished tied for second in the league behind only FC Cincinnati’s Brandon Vazquez (16).

  • Julián Araujo ranked second in the league amongst all defenders and led the Galaxy with nine assists in 33 appearances (30 starts) this season.

  • At 21 years, 1 month and 26 days old, Araujo became the youngest player in LA Galaxy history, and the 31st player overall in club history, to appear in 100 regular-season matches. Araujo has tallied one goal and 20 assists in 100 career regular-season appearances (89 starts) for the Galaxy.

  • Dejan Joveljić led the league with eight goals scored and 10 goal contributions (8 goals, 2 assists) as a substitute this year.

  • Notably, amongst all players that have played a minimum of 950 minutes this season, Joveljić led the league with 1.01 goals scored per 90 minutes played.

  • Riqui Puig leads MLS in passes completed (622), successful passes entering the final third (212) and ranks tied for first in MLS in assists (5) and has scored three goals dating back to his first start in league play on Aug. 28.

  • Jonathan Bond became the eighth player in team history to appear in all 34 MLS regular-season matches for the Galaxy, finishing the season with seven shutouts and 90 saves.

  • Gastón Brugman recorded his first career assist in the win for the Galaxy and finished the match with 88 of 94 completed passes (94% pass accuracy) and led the club with two interceptions, 12 duels won, nine possessions won and four chances created.

  • Douglas Costa recorded his second assist of the year.

  • Efraín Álvarez tallied an assist and finished the season ranked second on the team with seven assists in 28 games played (13 starts).

Next Game
Up next, the LA Galaxy play host to Nashville SC in Round One of the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, Oct. 15. The match on Oct. 15 kicks off at 12:00 p.m. PT and features a national television broadcast on UniMás and TUDN.

LA Galaxy's Head Coach Greg Vanney, Defender Julián Araujo and Midfielder Mark Delgado

Sunday’s Decision Day match marks the 40th all-time meeting across all competitions between the LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo FC, with LA leading the series 16-13-10. Against Houston, the Galaxy hold a 12-13-10 record in league play, a 1-0-0 record in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and a 3-0-0 record in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The last time the two teams met at PNC Stadium, the LA earned a 3-0 win over Houston on Oct. 20, 2021. The Galaxy enter Sunday’s match following a 1-1 draw at home against Real Salt Lake on Oct. 1, which moved LA (13-12-8, 47 points) up to fourth place in the Western Conference standings, three points behind third-place FC Dallas (13-9-11, 50 points). The Galaxy clinched a berth in the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs following a 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake on Oct. 1. Notably, with his next appearance defender Julián Araujo will become the 31st player in LA Galaxy history to appear in 100 career regular-season matches.

LA Galaxy To Participate In Leagues Cup 2023

Unprecedented international competition featuring every MLS & LIGA MX club will take place from July 21 – August 19, 2023; Official Concacaf competition will qualify Top 3 finishers for Concacaf Champions League

The LA Galaxy will participate in the historic and highly anticipated Leagues Cup 2023, it was announced today as Major League Soccer (MLS) and LIGA MX, with the support of Concacaf, unveiled competition details, including dates, format and the hosting process.  

Beginning in 2023, MLS and LIGA MX will pause their respective league seasons each summer and all 47 first division clubs in Canada, Mexico and the United States will compete in the World Cup-style tournament.

This announcement sets the stage for the annual, month-long competition that will crown the winner among MLS and LIGA MX. The champion, as well as the second and third place finishers, will qualify for the Concacaf Champions League and an opportunity to earn a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Leagues Cup 2023 will begin on Friday, July 21 with the final taking place on Saturday, August 19. The tournament will be played across the U.S. and Canada. 

Leagues Cup Format 

An event unprecedented in global football, the inaugural Leagues Cup will consist of 77 matches.

Group Stage, Seeding and Hosting: For Leagues Cup 2023, one club each from MLS and LIGA MX will receive a bye past the Group Stage and will enter the tournament in the Round of 32. MLS will be represented by the 2022 MLS Cup winner. For LIGA MX, of the two recent champions in Clausura 2022 and Apertura 2022, the club with the most combined points accumulated across both tournaments in the 2022 calendar year will qualify directly into the Round of 32. The remaining 45 clubs will be divided into 15 groups of three clubs each. The 15 groups will be divided into four regions.

The Group Stage placement for MLS teams will be based on the final 2022 Supporters’ Shield standings. The top 15 MLS clubs will each be placed in groups based on seeding, as well as by region, and will host two matches each. The top 15 LIGA MX clubs - based on the combined Clausura 2022 and Apertura 2022 standings - will be placed into groups in reverse order from the MLS clubs (No. 15 LIGA MX seeded club will be paired with No. 1 MLS seeded club and so on). There will be at least one LIGA MX club per group.

The remaining 13 MLS clubs and the two remaining LIGA MX clubs will be drawn into groups and divided geographically. The 13 MLS clubs will each host one Group Stage match each. LIGA MX v. LIGA MX matches will be played at select venues depending on region. The Leagues Cup 2023 schedule and details will be announced in the coming months.

Every team will play two matches in the Group Stage, with the top two teams from each group, as determined by points, advancing to the Knockout Stage Round of 32. For tiebreakers and other competition items, the Leagues Cup 2023 Competition Guidelines will be published in the coming months.

No matches in the Leagues Cup Group Stage will end in a tie. Each team receives one point if the game is tied after 90 minutes. The winner of the subsequent penalty kicks will earn an additional point. Regulation wins count as three points.

Knockout Rounds: Following the Group Stage, the advancing teams will be joined by the top MLS and LIGA MX clubs and will be placed in a fixed bracket to compete in the single-game elimination Knockout Rounds beginning with the Round of 32 (16 matches), followed by Round of 16 (eight matches). The eight advancing teams will compete in the Quarterfinals (four matches) before the two Semifinal matches.

Leagues Cup Final and Third-Place Game: The Leagues Cup 2023 Final and Third-Place game, which will determine the qualifiers in Concacaf Champions League, will be played on Saturday, August 19.

Concacaf Champions League Qualification
As previously announced by Concacaf, the Leagues Cup 2023 winner will qualify directly for the Concacaf Champions League Round of 16, and the second and third place clubs will qualify for the Champions League Round One. This is the first official competition in the world to involve two leagues and be sanctioned by their Confederation.

Global Distribution
As part of the multiyear partnership between MLS and Apple, fans around the world will be able to watch the entire Leagues Cup tournament on the Apple TV app, which is available on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices from Roku, Amazon, and Google, game consoles, and the web at tv.apple.com. Additional broadcast information in Canada, Mexico and U.S. will be announced at a later date. As previously announced, IMG Arena will be the data distribution partner for Leagues Cup.

Ticket Information
LA Galaxy Season Ticket Members will have two Leagues Cup 2023 Group Stage matches included in their 2023 membership as bonus games. More information on general ticket purchase will be available in the coming months.

Leagues Cup 2023 is part of the evolution of the successful partnership between MLS and LIGA MX that launched in 2018. The partnership is rooted in on-field rivalry but connected by a true spirit of collaboration off the field, with a focus on sharing best practices, growing the beautiful game in North America, and being a force for positive change in the communities of both leagues.

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).

LARS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LA Galaxy earn 3-2 road win over San Jose Earthquakes

With two matches remaining in the 2022 MLS Regular Season, the LA Galaxy earned a 3-2 road win over the San Jose Earthquakes in front of 44,200 fans at Stanford Stadium on Saturday night. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández tallied a brace and Gastón Brugman scored for the second straight game as the Galaxy earned their first win over the Earthquakes at Stanford Stadium in over eight years.

n their last nine matches played dating back to Aug. 13, the Galaxy hold a record of 4-1-4, outscoring the opposition 22-17 during that span. LA holds a record of 2-1-2 in its last five road matches played dating back to Aug. 28. With the win over San Jose, the Galaxy (13-12-7, 46 points, +5 GD) moved up to fifth place in the Western Conference standings, one point behind fourth-place Nashville SC (12-9-11, 47 points, +11 GD).

Chicharito Movin’ On Up
With his two-goal performance against San Jose, Chicharito moved past Mauricio Cienfuegos into seventh place on the Galaxy’s all-time goal-scoring chart with 36 goals in 63 regular-season appearances. Notably, Chicharito has tallied 10 goals in his last 10 games played dating back to Aug. 6, ranking second in the league behind only Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar (11 goals) during that span. In 30 appearances (29 starts) in league play this season, Chicharito has tallied a team-leading 17 goals and two assists.

LA Galaxy Against San Jose Earthquakes
Saturday’s match marked the 112th edition across all competitions of the California Clásico between the Galaxy and the Earthquakes, with LA leading the all-time series 44-33-35. The victory marked LA’s first win over the Earthquakes at Stanford Stadium since a 1-0 win over San Jose on June 28, 2014. In eight all-time matches played against the Earthquakes at Stanford Stadium, the Galaxy hold a 2-5-1 record.

Goal-Scoring Plays
LA – Chicharito (Julián Araujo, Mark Delgado), 12th minute: Attacking down the right flank, Julián Araujo delivered a low cross toward the center of the penalty area to Chicharito, who took a touch around his marker and fired his left-footed shot into the far corner of the goal.

LA – Gastón Brugman (Mark Delgado), 42nd minute: Mark Delgado fed the ball to Gastón Brugman, whose shot from outside the 18-yard box was rifled in off the underside of the crossbar.

LA – Chicharito (Efraín Álvarez), 69th minute: Working just outside the 18-yard box, Efraín Álvarez slipped a pass to Chicharito, whose shot from the right side of the penalty area was tucked away at the far corner of the goal.

SJ – Cristian Espinoza (Penalty Kick), 74th minute: Cristian Espinoza fired his penalty-kick attempt into the right side of the goal.

SJ – Nathan (Miguel Trauco, Cristian Espinoza), 90+4th minute: Cristian Espinoza’s corner-kick delivery was flicked on by Miguel Trauco to Nathan, whose header was deflected past LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond from close range.

Postgame Comments

Postgame Notes

  • Following the win over San Jose, the LA Galaxy (13-12-7, 46 points) moved up to fifth place in the Western Conference standings, one point behind fourth-place Nashville SC (12-9-11, 47 points).

  • Saturday’s match marked the 112th edition across all competitions of the California Clásico between the Galaxy and the Earthquakes, with LA leading the all-time series 44-33-35.

  • The Galaxy improved to 35-28-16 in 79 all-time regular-season matches against San Jose, while holding a 4-1-1 record in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and a 5-4-1 record in the MLS Cup Playoffs against the Earthquakes.

  • The Galaxy improved to 6-7-4 in 17 matches played on the road across all competitions this season.

  • LA improved to 12-1-4 this season when scoring the first goal of the match.

  • In their last nine matches played dating back to Aug. 13, the Galaxy hold a record of 4-1-4, outscoring the opposition 22-17 during that span.

  • LA holds a record a 2-1-2 in its last five road matches played dating back to Aug. 28.

  • The victory marked LA’s first win over the Earthquakes at Stanford Stadium dating back to a 1-0 win over San Jose on June 28, 2014.

  • In eight matches played against the Earthquakes at Stanford Stadium, the Galaxy hold a 2-5-1 record.

  • The Galaxy improved to 2-1-2 in five matches played during the month of September this season.

  • With his goal scored against San Jose, Gastón Brugman has tallied three goals in his last two games played dating back to Sept. 17.

  • With his two-goal performance against San Jose, Chicharito moved past Mauricio Cienfuegos into seventh place on the Galaxy’s all-time goal-scoring chart with 36 goals in 63 regular-season appearances.

  • In his last 10 games played dating back to Aug. 6, Chicharito has tallied 10 goals, which ranks second in the league behind only Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar (11) during that span.

  • Chicharito has tallied 17 goals for the Galaxy for the second consecutive season.

  • Mark Delgado notched his first career two-assist performance in the win over San Jose.

  • Julián Araujo tallied recorded his team-leading ninth assist of the season, and notched an assist for a second consecutive match.

  • Efraín Álvarez registered his sixth assist of the 2022 campaign.

  • Riqui Puig finished the match with 55 attempted passes, 54 completed passes (98% pass accuracy), five possessions won and six duels won in the victory against the Earthquakes.

  • Samuel Grandsir led the Galaxy with three tackles won, 10 duels won and five successful dribbles.

Next Game
Up next, the LA Galaxy play host to Real Salt Lake in the regular-season home finale at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, Oct. 1. The match on Oct. 1 kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT and features a regional television broadcast on Spectrum SportsNet and a stream on LAGalaxy.com.