Loons discover goal-scoring in 2-1 win over L.A. Galaxy

MNUFC did not score in its previous two games, so the playmaking from Joaquín Pereyra and Tomas Chancalay was much needed on Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif. And the win gives the Loons (2-2-2, 8 points) separation from Galaxy (1-3-2, 5 points) in the bottom of the Western Conference. Chancalay deftly dribbled along the end line and fed a ball into the 6-yard box for Kelvin Yeboah to tap in the game-winner during the 67th minute.

Pereyra hit an inch-perfect lofted pass to meet a sprinting Anthony Markanich for a breakaway goal in the 52nd minute. Galaxy midfielder Marco Reus had tied it at 1-1 on rebound in the 57th. He got past Morris Duggan and goalkeeper Drake stopped the first attempt but Reus stuck with the opportunity.

Pereyra, who wore the captain’s armband for the first time with MNUFC, notched his third assist of the season, while Chancalay, who was brought in from New England in the offseason, registered his first primary assist of the year. The Loons continued to establish the defensive stability they sought stability after the 6-0 loss to Vancouver on March 15. They first found it in the scoreless draw with Seattle on March 22 and kept it up in the first half Saturday.

Galaxy managed three shots on target in the opening 45 minutes, but none were too challenging for the Minnesota back line and Callender.