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Gabriel Pec lifts the Galaxy to win over Minnesota United with his 90th-minute goal

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CARSON — The Galaxy faced an interesting situation Sunday, coming off of a tough loss Thursday against LAFC and having a short turnaround with Minnesota United FC visiting.

Just as they’ve shown all season, the Galaxy found a way to bounce back from a loss.

Thanks to a two-goal night from Gabriel Pec, the second coming in the 90th minute for the winner in the Galaxy’s (12-4-7, 43 points) 2-1 triumph over Minnesota United in front of 19,302 at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Following a loss, the Galaxy record is now 3-0-1. The win moves the Galaxy into a three-way tie for first place in the Western Conference with LAFC and Real Salt Lake.

The game was the third in a nine-day stretch that started with a 3-0 win over San Jose, June 29. Then came the disappointing and frustrating 2-1 loss July 4 against LAFC.

For 70 minutes, it appeared as if the Galaxy would do enough to see out the win, but the night wouldn’t go that easily.

Minnesota United tied game at 1-1 in the 74th minute on a goal by Teemu Pukki, who had entered as a sub.

The Galaxy found the winner, thanks to an extra effort by Mauricio Cuevas, who set up Pec for the winning tap-in.

The start of the game wasn’t easy for the Galaxy. The Loons came out in a well-structured and compact 5-4-1 formation, looking to take away space in the midfield. However, in the 25th minute, the Galaxy created their space and moment.

Riqui Puig lobbed a ball out of midfield down the right to Miki Yamane. Yamane sent in a cross to Pec for the finish and a 1-0 Galaxy lead.

Pec now has nine goals, three behind Dejan Jovelijic for the team lead.

“He’s playing with a ton of confidence,” Vanney said of Pec. “You can see he’s happy, he’s kind of settled into the team, he’s understanding the league, his English is actually becoming very good. I think he’s just understanding his environment a little bit better and the things that we’re asking from him.

“I said to him, against a back five (defensive line), I don’t want you to stand against the line because then their wingback would stand with you and it would hard to find space. I wanted to get him coming inside and bringing the fullback around where he could create separation and how he scored both of those goals is how we drew up for him in the pregame.”

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Damian Calhoun

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