Rayan Raveloson helps LA Galaxy escape two-goal hole, draw with Real Salt Lake

Updated: May 17, 2023, 12:05 am

Rayan Raveloson scored on a header in the 77th minute to help the LA Galaxy rally for a 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake in Sandy, Utah, on Wednesday night.

Salt Lake surrendered an early two-goal lead and has now won just twice in its past 11 matches. The Utah club saw its home record fall to 2-2-4.

Albert Rusnak and Maikel Chang scored first-half goals to give RSL a 2-0 lead before the team faded. Victor Vazquez sliced the deficit to 2-1 in the 33rd minute.

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Los Angeles trailed for much of the match until an unmarked Raveloson notched his third goal in three games. He was playing just his fourth game with the Galaxy.

RSL made the most of the opportunities created through aggressive offensive play early in the first half.

Rusnak put Salt Lake on the board in the ninth minute. Aaron Herrera fired a cross to him in the center of the box. Left unmarked, Rusnak blasted an open left-footer near the penalty spot and threaded the ball inside the right post.

RSL extended their lead to 2-0 on Chang's goal in the 26th minute. Rubio Rubin fed Chang the ball just outside the top of the box. Chang went one on one with a defender and fired off a left-footer before crossing into the box. The ball zipped past LA goalkeeper Jonathan Bond before he could extend to the near post to stop the goal.

Vazquez pulled one back with his first goal of the season. He latched onto a pass from Samuel Grandsir and blasted a right-footer from the left side of the box. The ball hooked into the top right corner.

Statistically, both offenses were dead even at halftime. Each club created five shots and put two shots on frame.

Los Angeles dialed up the pressure in the second half and finally leveled the score in the 77th minute. Raveloson snapped down a header outside the 6-yard box and the ball sailed home for the equalizer.

The Galaxy finished with a 12-11 edge in total shots and a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal.