CARSON, CA (July 20, 2016) – It took the team awhile, but the chance creation ultimately made the difference. The LA Galaxy are headed to the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals after a 4-2 win over the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night. With a substitute contribution from Gyasi Zardes and a brace from Sebastian Lletget, the Galaxy were able to comeback from a 2-1 second half deficit.
Zardes and Lletget Shine In LA Galaxy 4-2 USOC Win
Both managers put out make-shift but functional lineups. Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, who has a history of not caring about the Open Cup, started Alan Gordon up top. Mike Magee was in the No. 10 role. Nigel de Jong started in the match. He was available due to being suspended from league play. Center back Leonardo started just his second game since May.
Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid started a midfield and forward core of youngsters. Hérculez Gómez started up top in a 4-3-3. Clint Dempsey was unavailable due a suspension from an incident in last year’s tournament. Jordan Morris was available on the bench. Robbie Keane and Giovani dos Santos were both on the bench for LA.
Seattle got off on the front foot in the match. In the 4th minute, the Galaxy were possessing the ball in their own half when Leonardo made a poor pass that was intercepted by Michael Farfan. The 28-year-old ran in on goal and chipped the ball past goalkeeper Clement Diop.
The Galaxy responded with several good spells of possession and shots. They got on the board in the 17th minute, when Gordon deflected a shot from Baggio Husidic into the upper 90 to tie the game. The half ended 1-1.
Second Half
LA came out the more aggressive side in the second half as the Sounders sat behind the ball and absorbed pressure. Seattle’s transition game worked in the 58th minute, when Gómez was able to deflect a long ball in after getting in behind Leonardo.
Arena subbed on Zardes and Dos Santos in the 74th minute down a goal looking for a spark. That’s exactly what he got.
Just three minutes later, Dos Santos scored off a turnover created by Zardes. Zardes pressured center back Zach Scott. Scott passed the ball errantly with no teammates around him. Dos Santos intercepted and was able to make a move and chip goalkeeper Tyler Miller.
Ending the Drought
Lletget ended his goal drought soon after with a good run on a brilliant team goal. Up 3-2 in the final minutes of the match, the Galaxy continued to control the ball and press Seattle when they did not have the ball.
The home side sealed the deal in the 88th minute. Lletget and Zardes had an excellent exchange back and forth and Lletget scored from just outside the box to seal the win.
On two separate plays, Zardes did an excellent job pressuring the opponent, recognizing his teammate’s position, and setting him up to score. Say what you will about his first touch, he had a few moments like this during the Copa America. He’s evolved in 2016.
An argument can be made that Lletget didn’t have a spectacular 90 minute performance outside the the two goals. On the opposed flank, Emmanuel Boateng was more active. He imposed his speed on the game and created several chances for himself and others.
A Confidence Boost
That said, considering Lletget’s form and conspiracy theories surrounding #BeckyGCurse, this result was all about Lletget’s confidence. He just needed something to go well, even if it was by accident. Neither of his goals were accidents. They were great runs and great finishes. He needed that for his confidence.
Thanks to great play from Zardes and Lletget, the Galaxy are in the Open Cup Semifinal. What’s more, it seems Bruce Arena once again has his team and key players turning the corner just in time for a second half run at a trophy, if not multiple.
