Dejan Joveljic scored against his former team, and Lasse Johnsen also found the net in his MLS debut, helping Sporting Kansas City secure a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday in Carson, California. This marks Sporting KC’s first victory of the season.
John Pulskamp made four saves as Sporting KC (1-2-1, 4 points) increased their goal tally after being shut out twice in the first three weeks. This win is also the first for new head coach Raphael Wicky.
Marco Reus netted a late goal, and Novak Micovic had two saves for the Galaxy (1-2-1, 4 points), who faced their second consecutive loss after a strong start to the season.
Los Angeles played without midfielder Gabriel Pec, who received a red card in last week’s 4-1 defeat to the Colorado Rapids. Pec had scored three goals in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match recently.
Joveljic, a former Galaxy player with 34 goals for the club from 2021-24, scored his third goal of the season just before halftime, weaving through a Los Angeles defender and driving a right-footed shot past Micovic.
Johnsen, acquired in February from Malmo FF in Sweden, finally made his debut after visa delays and scored in the 74th minute, assisted by a touch pass from Joveljic.
Johnsen’s goal was crucial as the Galaxy pulled one back in the 82nd minute during an offensive surge. Pulskamp made a diving save, but after two more shots hit the post, Reus found the net with a header, scoring his first of the season.
Los Angeles forward Joao Klauss, making his fourth regular-season appearance with the team after joining from St. Louis City FC, was substituted in the 63rd minute and did not score.