CARSON — As frustrating as the six-game losing streak had been, Sunday’s effort almost fell in the same category until the 90th minute.
Just when it looked as though the Galaxy’s best collective effort in a month would go to waste, late sub Kai Koreniuk scored the lone goal of the game to lift the Galaxy (5-9-3, 18 points) to a much-needed 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps at Dignity Health Sports Park.
“First of all, the goal was just awesome, it was really cool,” he said. “Really awesome to score, just absolute adrenaline rush to get that opportunity to get that goal.
“I did speak with (Galaxy coach) Guillermo (Barros Schelotto) about a week ago. I hadn’t been in the (gameday) lineup so I just wanted to ask him is there anything I can do or what can I do and he just said just be patient, keep working hard and your chance will come. … And here I am.”
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Los Angeles Galaxy forward Cristian Pavon (10) jumps in the air to attempt a goal shot against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann (33) makes a save against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy forward Kai Koreniuk (28) reacts after scoring the wining goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (14) vies for the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy defender Emiliano Insua (3) goes after a lose ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy defender Perry Kitchen (2) headers the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Yony Gonzalez (11) vies for the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy forward Kai Koreniuk (28) dribbles the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget (17) tries to recover the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Yony Gonzalez (11) vies for the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget (17) kicks the ball against against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy forward Cristian Pavon (10) moves the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps defender Jake Nerwinski (28) during the first half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Yony Gonzalez (11) dribbles the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps defender Ranko Veselinovic (4) during the first half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto looks on during the first half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Efrain Alvarez (26) fights for the ball Vancouver Whitecaps defender Ali Adnan (53) during the second half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (14) takes a goal shot against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Efrain Alvarez (26) looks for an open teammate against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy defender Julian Araujo (22) brings the ball down the pitch against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (14) brings the ball down the pitch against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of a Major League Soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday October 18, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
After several near-misses in the second half, Cristian Pavon’s cross found a streaking Koreniuk, who was making a near-post run. All he had to do was get it by Evan Bush and that’s what he did.
“Sometimes when a team need to win, sometimes they change and get nervous and then get disorganized,” Galaxy coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto. “The team played well, we managed the ball and the game. We never could get the goal, but it appeared in the last minute and we deserved to win.”
It was Koreniuk’s first goal of his MLS career and just his second appearance. He’s played a total of four minutes. He entered the game in the 87th minute, replacing Sebastian Lletget.
Koreniuk, 22, was signed from LA Galaxy II in June. Last year, he was the LA Galaxy II Player of the Year.
“I’m just trying to be patient, just waiting for my chance,” he said of his season so far. “Working hard in training and then whenever I do get an opportunity like this, try to pounce on it. There’s not really much I can do just be patient and try to be a like a spark plug for the team when I come on.”
As the losses mounted in recent weeks, the seat upon which coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto sat got warmer and warmer. He’s in the second year of a three-year contract. Last year’s team, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic made the playoffs. This year, things haven’t gone smoothly at all.
During the losing streak, the Galaxy often appeared overmatched, but things looked different in the first half Sunday as it came out compact on defense, kept its shape and one with a plan going forward, two areas the team looked incapable of doing in previous games.
The first substitution was made by the Galaxy with Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez coming on in the 50th minute to replace Yony Gonzalez.
Gonzalez showed signs of being a dangerous threat in the first half, working his way into good positions, but was taken down by the Vancouver defense several times and it took a physical toll that left him limping off the field.
In the second half, the Galaxy had its moments, but couldn’t capitalize and seemed almost certain to walk off the field with a scoreless draw.
Chicharito had at least three point-blank chances to add to his one-goal total on the season, but he had one shot blocked by a Vancouver defender, another he sent into the empty stands and the third he wasn’t able to steer it on goal.
“He (Chicharito) started on the bench because I decided to play with only one striker and I decided on Yony Gonzalez,” Schelotto said. “It was important for the team to win, and maybe he will feel a little less pressure because everyone was talking about him and I think this will be very good for him to get confidence and to be calm.”
The Galaxy hadn’t won since Sept. 6, the final victory in a four-game winning streak. The club followed that with a scoreless draw against San Jose and it had been all losses since then.
This was the second meeting between the teams. Vancouver defeated the Galaxy 1-0 all the way back on March 7, the Galaxy’s home opener.
The Galaxy will return to action Sunday, Oct. 25 at LAFC.
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