CARSON, CA (June 14, 2017) – The kids showed up big time. Three players who spent most of 2016 in USL scored for the LA Galaxy. The MLS side defeated Orange County SC 3-1. They have advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Other than Captain Jelle Van Damme, it was a reserve side for the Galaxy. Head Coach Curt Onalfo started Jon Kempin in goal. Nathan Smith and Dave Romney started on the backline. Rafael Garcia and Jaime Villarreal started as holding midfielders in a 4-2-3-1. Jose Villarreal was in the No. 10 role with Jack McBean up top.
Orange County Manager Logan Pause had his team in the same formation. Charlie Lyon started in goal. Former Galaxy Academy product Oscar Sorto started at center back. Richard Chaplow and Amirgy Pineda started as holding midfielders. Victor Pineda started in the No. 10 role with Jerry van Ewijk up top. Carlos Alvarez started at right midfield.
LA Galaxy Advance In U.S. Open Cup, Beating Orange County SC 3-1
The Galaxy started the match at a frenetic pace. Jose Villarreal led the way, creating chances and taking free kicks. He would open the scoring in the 17th minute. In transition, the midfielder got a pass from McBean. He took a touch to control the ball, then shot 30 yards from goal. The ball beat Lyon and hit the upper corner to make it 1-0.
Jose Villareal scored a scorcher to open his @LAGalaxy #USOC2017 account against @orangecountysc. It’s just filthy. NSFW even. ??⚽️? pic.twitter.com/NVtlNuA4Gb
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) June 15, 2017
Orange County SC pulled one back in the 26th minute when Roy Meeus scored on a corner. Amirgy Pineda delivered the corner. Meeus got open and fired a volley past Kempin and into the back of the net. (I couldn’t find a good video/GIF of the goal on Twitter, sorry).
The two traded chances then the game turned on a head in the 35th minute. McBean was shoved to the ground in the penalty box by Salomon Wbias. Head Referee Ramy Touchan pointed to the spot. McBean stepped up to take the penalty and fired it home, sending Lyon the wrong way.
As cool as you’d like. @JackMcbean puts the #LAGalaxy up 2-1! #LAvOC pic.twitter.com/pZxzdBwZzA
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) June 15, 2017
The half ended 2-1 with Sorto and Dušan Stevanovic on yellow cards for Orange County.
LA and Orange County played fairly evening to start the second half. The Galaxy had more the ball, but could not find a goal to extend their lead. The visitors woke up in the 66th minute. Alverez got a shot in transition that beat Kempin but hit the post. Garcia cleared the ball out of danger. That started a series of attacks for OCSC with several good shot attempts.
Their poor finishing came back to haunt them however. Against the run of play, the Galaxy won a corner in the 73rd minute. Dave Romney got a head to the ball on the ensuing cross, but it was cleared off the line. Ariel Lassiter pounced on the loose ball, smashing it into the back of the net.
The #GoalPuppy gets his tally! ?⚽️ #LAvOC pic.twitter.com/4uRllo4JtV
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) June 15, 2017
Orange Count pushed to get back in the game, but Kempin made several good saves late in the match. His defenders helped out, blocking several second chance shots and clearing rebounds out of the box. Even with several good chances, Orange County couldn’t comeback. The match ended 3-1.
The LA Galaxy move on to the Round of 16, which is scheduled for the week of June 28th.
