The Los Angeles Galaxy essentially needed a win against Monarcas Morelia on Wednesday night if they wanted to have a chance to make the knockout stages of the CONCACAF Champions League. it was the fifth of six match days in the group stage and had the failed to get three points then they would have needed a lot of help to get through. That is why Galaxy fans were sick to their stomach when they saw the scoreboard showing a 1-1 tie as the clock hit 90, but then Juninho was able to knock home a free ball in injury time to get the Galaxy three incredible and important points.
LA Galaxy Vs. Monarcas Morelia, 2011 CONCACAF Champions League: Juninho Wins It For LA In 90th Minute
Some early Galaxy pressure resulted in a goal when Mike Magee was able to finish a cross from Todd Dunivant in the 20th minute. From then on it was all Morelia though. They finally got a goal they most definitely deserved when Bryan Jordans sliding attempted clearance just left the ball in front of the Galaxy net. Rafael Marquez Lugo was able to poke it through Josh Saunders in a scramble and eventually push it over the line for the equalizer.
LA showed their desperation to get three points in the final half hour as they pushed Omar Gonzalez up the field into a forward position, but for all their pressure they couldn't get chances. Meanwhile, Morelia was exploited their necessity to throw men forward by jumping on the counterattack with Damian Manso even hitting the cross bar. LA stayed alive though.
With the match already into injury time, the Galaxy got a corner kick that figured to be their last chance at a winner. The ball was whipped in and Chad Barrett won the header, but it was knocked down in front. With a mess of players trying to get a foot to it, it was Juninho who was able to as he slammed it home for the winner in the dying moments of the match.
Los Angeles and Morelia now share the perch atop Group A with nine points apiece, although Alajuelense also has nine points, plus they have a match in hand. Morelia has the edge in goal difference by two over LA, while LA leads Alajuelense by one goal.
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