Los Angeles Galaxy extend dominance over Union with 3-1 win

Tyler Boyd and Riqui Puig scored goals as the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Philadelphia Union 3-1 on Saturday night in Carson, California.

The Galaxy added another goal on an own goal by Philadelphia’s Olivier Mbaizo, extending their unbeaten streak to seven games (3-0-4).

Los Angeles improved to 9-1-3 all-time against the Union (5-9-7, 22 points). Philadelphia’s only series victory came on July 4, 2012.

The Union (10-7-4, 34 points) scored through Mikael Uhre as they fell to 1-3-1 in their last five games.

The Galaxy’s Jonathan Klinsmann made one save, while Philadelphia’s Joe Bendik made three.

The Union were missing standout goalkeeper Andre Blake as well as top defenders Kai Wagner (hamstring) and Damion Lowe. Blake and Lowe are representing Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, while Wagner missed his second consecutive game.

Los Angeles seized a 2-1 lead on an own goal by Philadelphia in the opening minute of first-half stoppage time.

Douglas Costa took the corner kick and placed it into the box near the goal. The ball was contested, and it struck Mbaizo’s lower back before going into the net.

Puig extended the Galaxy’s advantage to 3-1 in the 76th minute with a right-footed shot that was brilliantly placed into the upper right corner of the net. Puig scored his third goal of the season.

Earlier, in the 15th minute, Boyd scored with a low right-footed drive that deflected off Bendik on its way to the net. Boyd scored his fourth goal of the season.

In the 36th minute, Jakob Glesnes scored with a right-footed drive from outside the box that deflected off a Los Angeles defender. The ball ricocheted to Uhre, who scored his sixth goal of the season with a right-footed strike past Klinsmann.

The Galaxy outshot Philadelphia 16-11 and had seven shots on goal to Philadelphia’s two.