BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Former Bradley Soccer star Bryan Gaul (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley H.S.) enjoyed a successful homecoming over the weekend, helping the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 2-0 victory against the Chicago Fire Sunday at Toyota Park.

Gaul came off the bench in the 73rd minute and recorded a shot on goal while helping the surging Galaxy close out its fourth win in the last six games.  The improved play by the defending MLS Cup champion has allowed the Galaxy (23 points, 7-10-2) to climb into fifth place in the Western Conference standings.

Selected by the Galaxy in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft, Gaul now has appeared in five games during his rookie season, totaling 288 minutes.

Gaul and the Galaxy will return to action Saturday night when they visit the Portland Timbers, a 10 p.m. (CDT) game that will be televised nationally on the NBC Sports Network.

Gaul's Bradley teammate, Christian Meza (Carpentersville, Ill./Dundee-Crown H.S.), also is helping his team surge toward playoff contention.  A rookie for the Charlotte Eagles (20 points, 6-8-2) in the United Soccer Leagues Pro Division, Meza has helped his squad to four straight wins and a climb to sixth in the USL Pro standings.  Meza is tied for second on the Charlotte squad with three goals.

Coming off a weekend sweep in a home-and-home series against the third-place Charleston Battery, Charlotte will continue a 4-game home stand by hosting Pittsburgh Saturday night at Charlotte Christian Stadium.