The Galaxy still face a long climb toward playoff contention, but at least to start the month of July, they’re riding an unbeaten streak.

Thanks to a first-half goal from Marco Reus and an early second-half tally by Diego Fagundez, the Galaxy (3-13-6) topped D.C. United 2-1 Saturday in front of 21,113 at Dignity Health Sports Park for a second consecutive win, extending their current unbeaten streak to a modest three games.

This is the first time this season that the Galaxy have won consecutive games.

The Galaxy won their second game of the season last week, defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0.

Reus opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. It was his fifth goal of the season and his 12th goal contribution (either goal or assist) in the last 12 games. The goal came after a scramble, starting with an initial shot by Edwin Cerrillo getting blocked, followed by Julian Aude’s rebound attempt getting blocked in the defensive traffic. The ball eventually came out toward Reus for the far-post finish and a 1-0 lead.

Last week, Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said he wasn’t pleased with the start to the second half. Saturday, some of that displeasure was erased with Fagundez’s goal in the 53rd minute for a 2-0 lead.

The night wasn’t all that easy, though. D.C. United’s Brandon Servania hit the crossbar in the 62nd minute and 15 minutes later, he cut the Galaxy’s lead in half, 2-1.

From there, D.C. United, playing its first game since coach Troy Lesene was fired, put the Galaxy in some difficult situations to see the game out.

After losing to Nashville SC in the U.S. Open Cup, Lesene was let go after less than to seasons. The club’s academy director Kevin Flanagan has taken over as interim coach.

The Galaxy’s inability to finish key chances in the second half, kept the door open for D.C. United. Gabriel Pec had a 1-on-1 chance against D.C. United goalkeeper Luis Barraza that was turned away.

The Galaxy also had to survive a nine-minute stoppage time period, which was due to an injury when Galaxy defender Miki Yamane collided with David Schnegg in the 64th minute.

This was the Galaxy’s first meeting with D.C. United since 2023 and the first in Carson since 2018.

The Galaxy’s homestand continues Wednesday with a visit from Austin FC and then Saturday, the club heads to BMO Stadium for a meeting with rival LAFC.

— Damian Calhoun

lafc tops dallas

A confidence-boosting win Wednesday gave the Los Angeles Football a result upon which it could build.

And that’s exactly what LAFC did Saturday night, disentangling FC Dallas 2-0 to secure back-to-back three-point efforts at BMO Stadium.

Goals by Nathan Ordaz and Denis Bouanga before the break paved the way for consecutive wins in league matches for LAFC since the first two weeks of the season.

Throughout the opening half hour, LAFC tried to break down another foe working out of a deep block using the same lineup that handled the Rapids. They wouldn’t put a shot on target until the 22nd minute, but LAFC still created moments of danger, showcasing some of the improved play coach Steve Cherundolo complimented his players on after beating Colorado.

Ordaz pounced in the 31st minute, capitalizing on an assist by Bouanga that was created off a Dallas (5-10-6, 21 points) turnover in the visitor’s defensive third. When the ball bounced to Mark Delgado, the midfielder dished to Bouanga, who took a nice touch and connected with Ordaz in the box.

The 21-year-old L.A. native, an international for El Salvador, controlled the pass and turned in one fluid motion, slotting his shot low inside the far post to best Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes to give him goals in consecutive games.

Ordaz’s fifth goal in MLS play upped Bouanga’s team-leading assist total to seven. Then the Frenchman’s team-leading goal tally increased to 10 shortly before the whistle for halftime.

Making the most of a wide-open transition moment Delgado fed Bouanga, who powered into the box and split a pair of Dallas defenders, leading to a foul on Shaq Moore and the winger’s fifth successful penalty this year.

Ignoring the break in MLS play to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup, LAFC has lost only once in its past 13 MLS games.

Coincidentally or not, Bouanga, who was goalless in the club’s first six league games, scored 10 times in his past 12 appearances.

The victory elevated LAFC (9-5-5, 32 points) into the sixth spot in the Western Conference before a trip to Minnesota on Wednesday.

For the players, that confidence boost “means that we’re coming back to the rhythm we had before the Club World Cup,” midfielder Timothy Tillman said this week. “Before the Club World Cup we were very successful, very confident, and that’s where we are now, especially emotionally. We just need to keep the confidence high and keep performing.”

— Josh Gross

Messi extends streak

Lionel Messi extended his historic streak to five straight multi-goal games, and Inter Miami snapped Nashville SC’s 15-match unbeaten streak with a 2-1 win Saturday night.

Messi entered the match as the only player in MLS history with four straight multi-goal games after scoring two in Miami’s win over New England on Wednesday.

And he wasn’t done.

Messi opened the scoring Saturday on a free kick in the 17th minute. Then after Nashville tied it early in the second half, Messi put his side back on top with a steal and score in the 62nd.

Messi now has 16 goals in 16 MLS matches this season, which is tied with Nashville’s Sam Surridge (16 goals in 21 matches) for most in the league.