After a busy transfer window, the Galaxy now had to make it all work on the pitch. With teams to chase and the uncertainty of the Western Conference, LA’s 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution came at the right time.
Kyogo Furuhashi took advantage of poor control in New England’s own half and sprinted to an open goal. A late lunge from Will Sands that brought the Japanese striker down led to a penalty right at the 10-minute mark.
Marco Reus stepped up and calmly put it past Matt Turner and into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season. It got better for LA as the match carried on.
After great interplay through the Rev’s midfield, Robert Taylor finished off a great attack; it was his first goal since July 2025. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano recorded the assist, his first in Galaxy colors.
Just minutes before the end of the game, the Revs were awarded a late penalty. It ruined the clean sheet opponent, but not the victory. The match provided moments of pure football quality and the potential this retooled Galaxy has.
“When we’re flowing, teams are going to have a really hard time and really think twice about how aggressive they want to defend us because of the pace and the caliber of (Lozano) and Kyogo and Joe (Paintsil) and Robert, with guys who are able to deliver passes like Marco and like Erik (Thommy) and like Pablo (Ruiz) and Sergi (Roberto),” said Head Coach Greg Vanney.
The flow and tempo of the Galaxy attack was dictated by Roberto, who was making his first LA Galaxy start.
“I think we have a high-quality team, with players who are technically very good on the ball. So, we have to believe in that, be strong especially in possession and reach the playoffs at 100%; I fully believe we can do that,” said Roberto postgame.
The Spanish midfielder added a calm presence on the ball in his minutes with the Galaxy. Alongside Thommy and Reus, the Galaxy’s midfield looks different and operates with more technical ability and IQ.
“Tonight, I saw some glimpses of where we’re able to manage the ball better with the ball, and not necessarily the whole time defensively, which I would like to tilt that bar even more,” said Vanney.
Being better in possession is the ultimate goal for Vanney, more so with Roberto fully integrating with the team. This is part of the season where MLS teams need to be at their best, more so with an intense race for playoff position.
“It’s just the conductor… both with and without the ball, from that lower part of the field and the midfield. You've got to have somebody who kind of ties the team together in that way, and I feel like he does a nice job of doing that,” said Vanney about Roberto.
He isn’t the only new addition to the Galaxy that is making a positive impact.
It had been over a year since Taylor scored a goal. Football had gotten more difficult with injuries, and now moving to another club.
But now, the 31-year-old experienced the feeling that never gets old: scoring a goal.
“After a difficult start personally this year, gotten injured and been struggling with that, it meant a lot to get my first goal this year and for the club. I’m grateful for Galaxy for giving me the opportunity, like I said earlier, to be myself on the field,” said Taylor to reporters.
The Finnish winger had earned the starting spot on the right wing over Joseph Paintsil. The work and runs that Taylor has put in since making his first LA Galaxy appearance have always helped the team and made the attack flow better.
“I think Robert’s been really sharp for the last few games, whether he started or he came in. I feel like he’s been playing at a really good speed and a directness with intention,” said Vanney postgame.
Taylor’s form has added much-needed competition on the wings. LA needs to push itself to get better and pick up points; there is no better way than to build that fire internally.
The Galaxy still has work to do to establish itself in the West, as the club sits in 12th place in the West following the victory. There isn’t much time to celebrate the victory as LA travels to Vancouver for a showdown on Wednesday night.