Marco Reus earned Los Angeles Galaxy a point in the MLS – and did so for the first time as captain. The New York Red Bulls salvaged a 2-2 draw but lost their angry coach Sandro Schwarz.
Given their miserable season, it’s almost enough to call it an upswing: Los Angeles Galaxy managed a 1-1 draw at San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night (CEST), losing only one of their last four games, albeit with only one win – their only victory in 20 MLS appearances.
The defending champions, who are far behind in the standings, were once again trailing after Beau Leroux scored in the 16th minute, but Marco Reus secured the ninth point of the season. After a double one-two with center forward Matheus Nascimento, the former Dortmund player scored his fourth goal of the season with his second attempt in the 70th minute. What made it special was that Reus captained his team for the first time in the absence of Maya Yoshida, who came on as a late substitute.
MLS newcomers San Diego FC remain top of the Western Conference after 22-year-old Tomas Angel scored in the sixth minute of stoppage time to secure a 3-2 win at FC Dallas. The Texans had been leading 2-1 at one point. The Seattle Sounders also remain on course for the playoffs after returning to domestic action with a 2-0 win over Austin FC following their early exit from the Club World Cup.
Red card offender Schwarz: “If someone isn’t good, you have to say something.”
In the East, the New York Red Bulls picked up a potentially valuable point against Minnesota United, who are third in the Western Conference. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting set up Emil Forsberg for the 1-0 in a co-production between two former Bundesliga pros and then scored himself in the final minute with his eleventh goal of the season to make it 2-2 – but then things got heated again.
Red Bulls coach Sandro Schwarz was sent off for complaining to the referee, who had blown the whistle in the middle of a promising counterattack. “It’s impossible not to say anything,” Schwarz said, still visibly shaken, at the press conference afterwards. “This is professional soccer. If someone isn’t good, you have to say something. That’s normal! I’m not criticizing anyone as a person, but for their job.”
Schwarz said that it was obviously not good that he would now miss at least one game for his team, but he expects to receive the minimum suspension. “I didn’t say anything to the referee when I saw the red card. I was gone immediately – I was surprised myself that I was so quick.” The Red Bulls remain seventh in the Eastern Conference.