Alvarez makes return a winning one for Galaxy

CARSON >> Efrain Alvarez made his return to the Galaxy a memorable one Wednesday.

Alvarez, 19, who recently made his debut with the Mexican national team, spent the recently concluded CONCACAF Gold Cup on international duty with Mexico.

He returned to town Tuesday and was slotted immediately into the starting lineup for the Galaxy’s meeting with Real Salt Lake.

In his first meeting with the Galaxy since June 26, Alvarez scored in the 53rd minute, after a quick 1-2 pass sequence from Sacha Kljestan to lead the Galaxy to a 1-0 win in front of 15,544 at Dignity Health Sports Park.

The goal was the third

GALAXY 1, REAL SALT LAKE 0

Up next: of Alvarez’s short career, but his second winning goal this season. In a road game against the Vancouver Whitecaps (July 23), he scored the winning goal after coming on as second-half substitute.

With the win, the Galaxy (10-6-1, 31 points) moves to within two points of Seattle and Sporting Kansas City, who are currently tied for first place in the Western Conference.

This was the second meeting between the teams. They played to a 2-2 draw in Utah, July 21.

With the lead, the Galaxy was unable to find a second goal that have afforded it some much-needed breathing room, but that forced goalkeeper Jonathan Bond to preserve the shutout.

In the 77th minute, Bond went low and to his right to come up with a save on a shot by Albert Rusnak.

Later, Bond again had to step up, coming away with a pair of saves to eventually record the shutout.

Moments later, the Galaxy had another chance to put the game away, but Kevin Cabral’s shot from apparently six-yards out was saved by RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath.

The Galaxy nearly had the opening goal in the first half, but Kevin Cabral goal was disallowed after a play earlier in the sequence was ruled offside.

The teams will meet again, Sept. 29 at Real Salt Lake.

Vancouver at Galaxy, Sunday, 5p.m., SpecSN