Johnny Russell dazzles late to earn Sporting Kansas City draw with LA Galaxy

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:27 am

Johnny Russell scored a highlight-reel goal in the 83rd minute as host Sporting Kansas City rallied for a 1-1 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday night.

As rain poured at Children's Mercy Park, Russell took a pass on the left wing from Graham Zusi and dribbled past four Los Angeles defenders before putting a left-footed shot from 12 yards out past diving goalkeeper David Bingham and just inside the left post.

That prevented the Galaxy from posting their first victory in Kansas City since 2007 and moving above the playoff line in the Western Conference.

Sporting KC dominated play, controlling the ball for nearly 60 percent of the match and outshooting the Galaxy 34-8.

But Bingham made eight saves, several spectacular, before Russell weaved through the Galaxy defense.

Bingham's most miraculous stop came off a header by Diego Rubio in the 62nd minute that appeared to be going into the top left corner of the net. Bingham scrambled to get a hand on the ball, which then glanced off both the crossbar and the left post before bouncing across the entire face of the goalmouth.

Johnny Russell
Johnny Russell
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored on a controversial penalty kick in the 25th minute for the Galaxy.

The Galaxy were awarded the penalty kick after Ola Kamara went down in the penalty area after taking a cross from Romain Alessandrini. Kamara got past defender Matt Besler and got a touch on the ball before SKC goalkeeper Tim Melia came sliding out in an effort to make a save. Besler appeared to clip Kamara's heel slightly, although the foul was called on Melia.

As fans at Children's Mercy Park booed lustily, Ibrahimovic blasted the penalty kick into the lower left corner of the net. Ibrahimovic, who turned 37 Wednesday, has a conference-leading 21 goals in just 25 appearances.

The Galaxy appeared to take a two-goal lead in first-half stoppage time when Dan Steres' header found the net, but video review determined he was offside on the play.