Joveljic, Perez lead Galaxy past Chivas 2-0 at SoFi Stadium

Wed, Aug 3, 2022
Soccer News (AP)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) - Dejan Joveljic and Jonathan Perez each scored, and the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated Chivas de Guadalajara 2-0 in a friendly on Wednesday night.

It was the first soccer match played at SoFi Stadium, which will host World Cup matches in 2026, and served as a prelude to the Leagues Cup competition between MLS and Liga MX clubs beginning next summer.

Joveljic, a Serbian national team player, stuck out his left foot to redirect a corner kick by Efrain Alvarez into the top netting in the 28th minute. With sideline space at a premium because of field-level suites, Alvarez had no choice but to put in an in-swinging ball, and Joveljic got to the near post ahead of two Chivas defenders to put the Galaxy ahead.

Perez made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute with a well-struck shot from outside the penalty box that beat Raul Rangel to the lunging goalkeeper's left.

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, who was born in Guadalajara and started his career at Chivas, nearly put the Galaxy ahead in the opening seconds. He intercepted a poor back pass by Antonio Briseno after 15 seconds but could not get a shot away before Rangel made a desperation slide tackle.

Chivas had its own chances to score early on, the most dangerous forcing Jonathan Klinsmann to make consecutive reaction saves to deny Miguel Ponce from close range in the 25th minute.

LAFC and Club America were to play in the nightcap of the doubleheader.

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