Veteran striker Billy Sharp is off to an excellent start at his new club, LA Galaxy, as the Sheffield United legend scored a hat-trick in his side’s chaotic 4-3 victory over Minnesota United.
In six appearances, the 37-year-old has now amassed six goals for the Western Conference team, finishing off chances in front of goal in place of the injured Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez.
Sharp scored in his MLS debut against Chicago Fire in a 3-0 win, and has only failed to get on the scoresheet twice against Houston Dynamo and San Jose Earthquakes after entering the game as a substitute.
Sharp opened the scoring at Dignity Health Sports Park in the 16th minute, but a flurry of goals from the visiting Loons saw the Galaxy down 3-1 at halftime. But two goals in an eight minute span from the English forward got LA back into the game on level terms, with Diego Fagundez, who was acquired in the summer from Austin FC, finding the back of the net in the 82nd minute to earn his side a late victory.
Count em’ 🎩 pic.twitter.com/8wM9HoY8Tr
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) September 21, 2023
“Yeah, I’m 37, but I still got a lot of life left in me and a lot of goals,” said Sharp after the game. “So to get the goals tonight was brilliant personally, but goals to help win games is extra special. And to do it here in front of the LA Galaxy fans was special for me tonight.”
Galaxy head coach and sporting director Greg Vanney had plenty of praise for his in-form striker, explaining that his positioning and knowing where to be at the right time was key for the goals scored.
“He has a nose for being in the right place at the right time, and that’s what a couple of those goals were,” said Vanney. “Billy’s goals were opportunistic, they were smart. They were getting into the right places for him as a striker.”
LA, in 13th place in the Western Conference table with 33 points from 28 games played, will attempt to make a late playoff push with just six games remaining in the regular season. Next up for Vanney’s side is a trip to Q2 Stadium in a clash with Austin FC, where Fagundez will return to the club where he made over 90 appearances for and with a win, the Galaxy could leapfrog the home side in the Confernece standings.
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