Photography by: Lorena Barros

It was a special evening over at Dignity Health Sports Park. On a night that celebrated one of the club’s greatest-ever players, Marco Reus delivered a performance worthy of the occasion.

The German veteran scored twice — including a late match-winning penalty — as the Galaxy edged Real Salt Lake 2-1 on Sunday night at home, snapping a difficult stretch and reigniting momentum in a crowded Western Conference race.

Before kickoff, the club unveiled a statue honoring Galaxy legend Cobi Jones outside the stadium, joining David Beckham and Landon Donovan in the club’s Legends Plaza. By full time, Reus had ensured the evening ended on a positive note.

The match started at a frantic pace, with both teams creating chances inside the opening minutes. Real Salt Lake looked sharp early through Victor Olatunji and Diego Luna, but it was the Galaxy who struck first in the ninth minute.

After Stijn Spierings conceded a foul just outside the area, Reus stepped over the free kick and curled a beautiful effort over the wall and into the top corner, leaving Rafael Cabral with no chance. It was the type of finish Galaxy supporters envisioned when the former Borussia Dortmund captain arrived in MLS in late 2024.

RSL responded well. Pablo Mastroeni’s side controlled long stretches of possession in the first half and repeatedly tested the Galaxy back line. Their persistence paid off deep into stoppage time when academy product Aiden Hezarkhani burst down the left flank and delivered a dangerous ball across goal. Zavier Gozo met it at the back post, rattling the frame before the rebound bounced off goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski and into the net for a chaotic equalizer.

The visitors carried confidence into the second half, continuing to push numbers forward while Luna — making his 100th MLS appearance — orchestrated attacks from midfield. But despite RSL’s pressure, the Galaxy gradually found its footing again behind the composure of Reus and the energy of Joseph Paintsil.

In the 85th minute, Elijah Wynder drove into the box and drew contact from RSL defender Sam Junqua, earning a penalty that immediately sparked protests from the visitors. Real Salt Lake players and staff felt wronged, especially after earlier appeals for a penalty and red card involving Olatunji had gone unanswered.

None of it mattered to Reus.

The 36-year-old calmly stepped to the spot and buried a low finish into the bottom corner for his second goal of the night and first penalty conversion in Galaxy colors. The brace also pushed LA’s scoring streak to 19 consecutive MLS matches, the longest active run in the league.

Fittingly, on a night dedicated to honoring club legends, it was a veteran star who once again delivered under the lights in Carson.