Puig’s second-half tally gets Galaxy past Dynamo

Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig recovers the ball against the Houston Dynamo in the first half of Saturday night’s game. Puig’s goal in the 59th minute proved to be the difference in the match. PHOTO BY RAUL ROMERO JR.

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By Damian Calhoun

dcalhoun@scng.com

CARSON >> The Galaxy haven’t been home much this season, having to fight and claw for points in nine of the first 14 games on the road.

Saturday, the Galaxy (6-2-7, 25 points) returned home from a road trip to Minnesota and Charlotte, reintroduced themselves to their home supporters with a 2-1 win over the Houston Dynamo in front of 21,707 at Dignity Health Sports Park.

The Galaxy recently ended a stretch of three games in eight days with three points, all draws, adding significance to the upcoming stretch of games that will see them play four of their next five at home.

Riqui Puig broke the 1-1 tie with a perfectly placed right-footed shot into the lower corner in the 59th minute. The sequence broke open thanks to Gaston Brugman long central run before feeding Pec on the left, who set up Puig.

The Galaxy then settled into a defensive mode, trying to grind out the win. In the 83rd minute, Galaxy coach Greg Vanney subbed off two attackers (Dejan Joveljic and Diego Fagundez) for defensive-minded midfielder Daniel Aguirre and Edwin Cerrillo to see the game out.

Even then, it wasn’t all that easy to do as what would have been a colossal mistake almost happened in the 86th minute. Martin Caceres’ back pass toward goalkeeper John McCarthy was nearly intercepted by a Houston attacker, but McCarthy was able to clear it out.

It took the Galaxy some time, but they eventually found their footing in the first half. Playing a second consecutive game with winger Joseph Paintsil, the Galaxy struggled early building down the right, an area in which Paintsil usually dominated.

Trailing 1-0, Gabriel Pec, the Galaxy’s other newest Designated Player, scored the equalizer. Miki Yamane created the scoring opportunity, on the right, pulling the ball back from the end line and crossing toward the center where Pec was there with an acrobatic header.

Houston opened the scoring the first half as McCarthy’s errant pass was intercepted by Latif Blessing, who scored, before McCarthy was able to regroup and get back on his line.

The Galaxy have a short turnaround with a midweek game Wednesday at home against FC Dallas, followed by a Saturday road game against the Chicago Fire.