CARSON, Calif. (June 6, 2018) – The LA Galaxy advance to the Round of 16 of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after defeated F.C. Golden State Force at home on Wednesday night. The final score was 3-1.
LA Galaxy Advance: Beat FC Golden State Force in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16
This was an interesting matchup with Golden State being one of two fourth-round proper of the U.S. Open Cup. On the other side, the Galaxy was shorthanded with several injuries and players gone on international duty. Five players who have normally been with LA Galaxy II this season were in the 18 for this match as a result.
The Galaxy started this game very positively. Golden State’s defense had trouble passing out of the back against the professional team, making mistakes and giving up chances. In the 15th minute, Bradford Jamieson IV opened the scoring. The Galaxy passed through the box very well, opening up space for Jamieson who fired a curling shot to the top corner.
Ariel Lassiter doubled the advantage for the home side in the 37th minute with a thumping scissor kick on a volley into the back of the net.
Things calmed down in the second half as Golden State was able to hold onto the ball a little better and attack in numbers. Pedro Fonseca scored for Golden State just minutes into the second half after Enrique Cardenas set him up with a pass.
The Force pushed and were the more attacking team in the final half hour, but it was Lassiter scoring in the 85th minute. Emmanuel Boateng made a pass to get Lassiter 1-v-1 with a defender. Lassiter created some space then scored, sending the shot in off the post. The match ended 3-1.
Three takeaways:
Level of play: This game wasn’t the most talented or best played of the round. Golden State was clearly out of their element at times. The Galaxy looked like a team that hasn’t played or practiced together all season.
Non-starters for LA shine: Several players who on paper aren’t starters for the LA Galaxy showed up and were the difference makers tonight. Lassiter and Jamieson scored all three goals, each one was an impressive finish. Boateng was the MOTM for me, running all game and making plays on both sides of the ball. This has to be encouraging for down the stretch when Manager Sigi Schmid has to turn to one of these players for a start or substitute appearance.
Survive and advance: It doesn’t matter how you win as long as you do in cup competitions. The opponent and the performance were not that impressive. But the LA Galaxy advance without spending any notable starters. When you’re on a run like the Galaxy, sometimes that’s all you can ask for.
The goal of the night? The goal of the Round?
A stunner from @LAGalaxy man Ariel Lassiter who clips @FCGSForce with his sensational ✂️-kick. #USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/dsh0b5Muao
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) June 7, 2018
