Thursday, November 5, 2020

Galaxy eliminated from playoff contention with draw against Seattle

  • Los Angeles Galaxy defender Emiliano Insua looks for an open teammate against the Seattle Sounders during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy forward Cristian Pavon (left) vies for the ball against Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan (right) during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

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  • Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Yony Gonzalez moves the ball up the pitch against the Seattle Sounders during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy defender Giancarlo Gonzalez moves past a Seattle Sounders defender during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy forward Cristian Pavon kicks the ball against the Seattle Sounders during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy defender Julian Araujo dribbles the ball down the pitch against a Seattle Sounders defender during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Yony Gonzalez boxes out a Seattle Sounders defender during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy defender Julian Araujo #22 brings the ball down the pitch against the Seattle Sounders during the second half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget (left) reacts during the second half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget (left) reacts during the second half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper David Bingham (center) sits on the floor at the end of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy interim head coach Dominic Kinnear looks on during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Yony Gonzalez maneuvers the ball against the Seattle Sounders during the second half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Efrain Alvarez #26 brings the ball down the pitch against the Seattle Sounders during the second half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Yony Gonzalez (left) fights off a Seattle Sounders defender during the second half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy interim head coach Dominic Kinnear walks on to the pitch prior to the start of an MLS match against the Seattle Sounders at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (left) kicks the ball against Seattle Sounders defender Gustav Svensson (right) during the second half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Seattle Sounders midfielder Jordy Delem (left) headers the ball against Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Sacha Kljestan (right) during the second half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris (left) vies for the ball against Los Angeles Galaxy defender Rolf Feltscher (right) during the second half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez walks out to the pitch before the start of an MLS match against the Seattle Sounders at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (center) kicks the ball in for a goal against the Seattle Sounders during the second half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (left) reacts after scoring a goal against the Seattle Sounders during the second half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. The Los Angeles Galaxy tied with the Seattle Sounders 1-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • L.A. Galaxy forward Cristian Pavon controls the ball during the first half of an MLS match against the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Seattle Sounders midfielder Ethan Dobbelaere, left, and LA Galaxy defender Emiliano Insua keep the ball in play during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LA Galaxy defender Emiliano Insua takes control of the ball during the first half of the team’s MLS soccer match against the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LA Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget, right, heads the ball next to Seattle Sounders defender Nouhou Tolo during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LA Galaxy midfielder Yony Gonzalez, left, is run over by Seattle Sounders defender Xavier Arreaga during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan, right, makes a pass next to LA Galaxy defender Emiliano Insua, center, and forward Cristian Pavon, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LA Galaxy forward Cristian Pavon heads the ball during the first half of the team’s MLS soccer match against the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LA Galaxy forward Ethan Zubak, left, gets control of the ball next to Seattle Sounders defender Xavier Arreaga during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LA Galaxy forward Cristian Pavon, right, takes a shot past Seattle Sounders midfielder Jordy Delem during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LA Galaxy forward Cristian Pavon, left, trips Seattle Sounders defender Joevin Jones during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LA Galaxy midfielder Yony Gonzalez, left, controls the ball next to Seattle Sounders defender Xavier Arreaga during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy forward Cristian Pavon kicks the ball against the Seattle Sounders during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Yony Gonzalez moves the ball up the pitch against the Seattle Sounders during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Yony Gonzalez boxes out a Seattle Sounders defender during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy defender Emiliano Insua looks for an open teammate against the Seattle Sounders during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy defender Giancarlo Gonzalez moves past a Seattle Sounders defender during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

  • Los Angeles Galaxy forward Cristian Pavon (left) vies for the ball against Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan (right) during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

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CARSON — The end result wasn’t enough to keep the Galaxy alive in the playoff hunt on Wednesday night, but at least for a moment Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez reminded everyone why the Galaxy brought the Mexican forward in this season.

In the 78th minute, Hernandez, who had entered the game in the 69th minute, made one of his patented off-the-ball runs, connecting on a pass from Efrain Alvarez and putting a simple right-footed blast into the net for the goal.

It was the first goal since the MLS is Back Tournament in July for the league’s highest-paid player.

The goal was just the second for Hernandez in an injury-plagued 11 games and it was almost enough to help the Galaxy escape with the win, but Raul Ruidiaz scored for Seattle in the third minute of added time for a 1-1 draw in the penultimate game of the regular season at Dignity Health Sports Park.

“The result is a tough one,” Galaxy interim coach Dominic Kinnear said. “The energy was good, the ball movement was good, and all in all very proud of the guys. I’m disappointed for them.”

The draw, combined with victories by the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes eliminated the Galaxy from playoff contention.

The Galaxy needed a longshot of combined results to qualify for the playoffs. Entering the game, the Galaxy was in fourth among a group of four teams contending for the final two playoff berths.

The five-time MLS Cup champions will miss the postseason for the third time in four years despite going unbeaten in the last two games under interim coach Dominic Kinnear.

In the first half, the Galaxy ran into bad luck on the attacking end. First, Daniel Steres’ shot from inside the 18-yard box was stopped as Seattle’s Alex Roldan raced back, headed the ball off of the crossbar and cleared it away.

Later, Ethan Zubak fired a shot that Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei was able to get a finger on, slowing a ball that eventually hit the post.

The game went into halftime scoreless.

Things opened up after Hernandez’s second-half goal as Seattle kept the pressure on by bringing on Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan as substitutes.

Ruidíaz’s 11th goal of the season provided a lift for the defending MLS Cup champion Sounders, who have won just once in their last six games while falling out of the top spot in the Western Conference. Ruidíaz scored when Jordan Morris navigated among four Galaxy defenders and slipped a pass to Ruidíaz, whose shot went off Galaxy goalkeeper David Bingham and in.

The Galaxy will conclude the regular season on Sunday in Portland against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

More to come on this story.

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