LA Galaxy 2-1 Real Salt Lake: Reus rolls back the years with game-winning brace

Marco Reus scored two goals, including a delightful free-kick, as the LA Galaxy defeated Real Salt Lake 2-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park.

The Galaxy were winless in three matches in all competitions coming into Sunday’s game, but they climbed to 10th in the Western Conference with a hard-earned win.

Reus had an effort smothered by Rafael Cabral early on, but it did not take him long to beat the RSL goalkeeper. The Borussia Dortmund icon lined up a free-kick on the edge of the area in the ninth minute, and left Cabral motionless with a curling effort into the top-left corner.

JT Marcinkowski made a fine point-blank save to keep out Victor Olatunji, but the visitors drew level in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time as Aiden Hezarkhani found Javier Gozo, whose shot struck the post then went in off the back of the Galaxy goalkeeper for an unfortunate own goal.

Both teams had opportunities in the second half, with one Gabriel Pec curler drawing an excellent stop from Cabral, and the Galaxy were awarded an 85th-minute penalty when Elijah Wynder was pushed in the back by Samuel Junqua.

Reus held his nerve, slotting into the bottom-left corner, and though Joseph Paintsil missed a glaring chance to finish things in added time, that was enough for the Galaxy.

Stunning free kick opener from Marco Reus and LA Galaxy! pic.twitter.com/HruLZ2cVGJ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 26, 2026

Data Debrief: Reus helps Galaxy maintain strong home record

The Galaxy have only lost one of their last 16 home matches against Real Salt Lake dating back to November 2014 (W11 D4), going unbeaten in 10 straight (W6 D4).

They had their captain Reus to thank for this victory as he led from the front, getting all three of his shots, which had an expected goals (xG) value of 1.22, on target as he scored only his second MLS brace (also versus Los Angeles FC last May).

The Galaxy had 16 shots to Real Salt Lake’s 15 in an open affair, winning the xG battle 2.61 to 1.19 as their figures were boosted by the penalty.