Reus scores with captain's armband - Black sees red and scolds
Marco Reus earned the Los Angeles Galaxy a point in MLS—for the first time as captain. The New York Red Bulls salvaged a 2-2 draw, but lost their disgruntled coach Sandro Schwarz.
Goal with captain's armband: Marco Reus. IMAGO/Imagn Images
Given the miserable season, one could almost speak of an upswing: The Los Angeles Galaxy secured a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday night (CEST), thus losing only one of their last four games, but also only winning one game - which remains their only one after 20 appearances in the MLS.
The defending champions, who were far behind, were once again trailing after Beau Leroux's 1-0 goal in the 16th minute, but still managed to pick up their ninth point of the season thanks to Marco Reus. After a one-two with center forward Matheus Nascimento, the former Dortmund player scored his fourth goal of the season at his second attempt in the 70th minute. What made this special was that, in the absence of late substitute Maya Yoshida, Reus led his team onto the pitch as captain for the first time.
MLS newcomer San Diego FC remains the leader of the Western Conference, with 22-year-old Tomas Angel scoring in the sixth minute of stoppage time to secure a 3-2 win over FC Dallas . The Texans had led 2-1 at one point. The Seattle Sounders also remain on course for the playoffs, bouncing back from their group stage exit at the Club World Cup with a 2-0 win over Austin FC .
Red sinner Schwarz: "If someone is not good, you have to say something"In the East, the New York Red Bulls picked up a potentially valuable point against Minnesota United, third in the West. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting set up Emil Forsberg for the opener in a co-production between two former Bundesliga players, and then scored his eleventh goal of the season in the final minute to level the score at 2-2 – but things heated up again after that.
Red Bull coach Sandro Schwarz received a straight red card for complaining to the referee, who had blown the whistle in the middle of a promising counterattack. "It's not possible to say nothing," Schwarz, still visibly agitated, justified himself at the press conference afterward. "This is professional football. If someone isn't good, you have to say something. That's normal! I don't criticize anyone as a person, but for their job."
The fact that he will now be missing his team for at least one game is obviously not good, said Schwarz, who nevertheless assumes the minimum suspension will apply. "I didn't say anything to the referee when I saw the red card. I left immediately – I was surprised myself that I was so quick." The Red Bulls remain seventh in the Eastern Conference.
