Galaxy suffers another loss, falling to Charlotte FC

CARSON — After advancing to the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, the Galaxy envisioned that win would translate into positive momentum returning back to league play.

However, things continue to go from bad to worst for the Galaxy.

The Galaxy (2-9-3, nine points) allowed a second-half goal, leading to a 1-0 win for visiting Charlotte FC (6-6-3, 21 points) in front of 17,434 and the night ended with the Galaxy down to 10 men after captain Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez was sent off after a second yellow card.

Hernandez received his second card in the 85th minute. His first came in the 46th.

After his departure, the Galaxy pushed for a goal to secure at least one point. Tyler Boyd had a difficult bicycle attempt in the 87th minute that was off target.

Boyd had another shot from distance that he tried to curl on target that sailed wide. Moments later, Kelvin Leerdam’s deep cross found the head of Dejan Joveljic, but even he couldn’t save the night, as his header was off-target.

All in all, it was another frustrating night that ended with a loud chorus of boos from the fans in attendance.

This was just the second meeting between the teams. The Galaxy was Charlotte’s first home opponent last season playing in front of a record crowd of 74,479.

The teams went into halftime scoreless, which was a plus for the Galaxy considering how some of their first half of games have gone. Even in the U.S. Open Cup win last Tuesday against LAFC, the Galaxy appeared stretched and desperate at times, even though the game scoreless.

“I think there’s an eagerness and an understanding, probably at an extreme level right now that the first goal is really important for us to get ahead of the game to give the group some cushion and confidence,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said following Friday’s training session.

That wasn’t the case Saturday.

The breakthrough finally came for the visitors in the 74th minute on Karol Swiderski’s goal that came off of a corner kick, but was able to get across the goal after the Galaxy failed to clear it.

The Galaxy had a chance to break the deadlock in the 64th minute as Chicharito Hernandez hit a one-time shot off of a cross from Boyd. However, Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina went down to grab the shot and the following rebound.

That was one of the Galaxy’s best looks of the game to that point, but overall, it was a night where no points were earned, leaving the team stuck in last place in the Western Conference.

The Galaxy will return to action with a midweek clash Wednesday on the road at Real Salt Lake.