A 5-3 win for Toronto FC over the LA Galaxy was a goal-filled encounter that entertained us for the entire 90 minutes. Here are three things we learned.
New interim manager Dominic Kinnear probably didn’t have in mind what transpired in his debut match for the Los Angeles Galaxy as the man in charge. His side went down early 3-0 to a rampant Toronto FC but eventually leveled the scoreline in the second half. However, the comeback was too much to ask for the away side as it finished 5-3 in favor of hosts Toronto.
With eight different players scoring goals, this match did not lack in entertainment. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored one of the goals of the season when he recorded his 500th career professional goal.
Toronto FC, however, were able to clean up their second-half mess when Jonathan Osorio and Jay Chapman found the back of the net.
It's @OsoJ92! It's 4-3!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 16, 2018
This game... #TORvLA https://t.co/vZwR0z2ugO
This match had big playoff implications with Toronto staying nine points out of sixth place and the Galaxy slipping six points out of sixth place in the Western Conference with their chances looking rather bleak as a result.
Here are three things we learned from Toronto’s win.
3. Galaxy continue to let in goals at a premium
The Galaxy defense has had a forgettable last month. In three of the club’s last four matches, they have let in five or more goals. This absolutely gobsmacking stat sums up the rise and fall of the Galaxy’s playoff hopes over the course of the last few weeks.
On this occasion, they were carved open time and time again by a speedy and fluent Toronto attack. Sigi Schmid was eventually asked to leave in large part because he could not successfully organise the most expensive backline in MLS. The problems have continued after his exit.
If the Galaxy want to reach the postseason, something has to change. And fast. At this point, the Galaxy will hope a playoff spot does not come down to goal differential.